Kenya and the United States are seeking to deepen commercial ties, with a focus on expanding bilateral trade and attracting more private-sector investment.
Speaking while hosting a US Chamber of Commerce delegation in Nairobi, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei commended the US Congress for extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through 2028.
Sing’oei said the extension provides greater assurance for exporters and investors as Kenya seeks to strengthen its commercial engagement with the United States.
The discussions highlighted priority investment areas including the digital economy and fintech, healthcare and medical infrastructure, and critical minerals and value addition, among others.
Kenya also encouraged American businesses to use the country as a gateway to wider regional markets, taking advantage of its membership in the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The engagement is the US Chamber of Commerce’s second major business delegation to Kenya this year, highlighting continued interest in strengthening commercial links between the two countries.
The talks also explored opportunities for technology transfer, increased private-sector partnerships and stronger institutional ties between Kenyan and American enterprises.
For Kenya, the engagement comes as the government seeks to attract more foreign direct investment and position the country as a regional hub for trade, technology and innovation.
The extension of AGOA is particularly significant for Kenyan exporters, who have relied on preferential access to the US market for a range of products. The additional period provides businesses with more time to plan investments and strengthen their position in the American market.
The latest engagement builds on President William Ruto’s State Visit to the United States in May 2024, which sought to strengthen economic and strategic relations between Nairobi and Washington.
The two countries continue to explore ways of expanding economic cooperation while creating opportunities for businesses and investors on both sides.
