Thousands of Kenyans are at risk of losing their jobs as the African Growth and Opportunity Act supported by the United States nears it expiry in Kenya.
Reports indicate that Kenya will see the Act end on September 30 – a move which is highly likely to sever duty-free trade relations between the African country and U.S.
This deal, reports say has been a ‘game-changer’, anchoring billions of shillings in investment, sustaining 66,000 apparel jobs and supporting nearly 660,000 Kenyans who rely on the apparel sector for their livelihoods. Without AGOA, Kenya loses its competitive edge against Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Egypt.
The Kenyan government has responded swiftly sending Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui to Washington to fight for an extension. But time is scarce, and active, sustained diplomacy is critical.
Kenya’s participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) began when the U.S. Congress first enacted the program in May 2000 under President Bill Clinton.
Kenya was among the first African countries to qualify, and it has since become one of the biggest beneficiaries, especially in textiles and apparel exports to the U.S.
