Kenya and the United States have set the stage for formal reciprocal trade negotiations in a move expected to reshape bilateral economic relations and deepen investment flows between the two countries.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, led a high-level Kenyan delegation to Washington, D.C., where they held strategic discussions with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Jamieson Greer.
The meeting, described by both sides as “pivotal,” builds on earlier talks in March and May 2025 that involved senior Kenyan officials, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Hon. Kinyanjui reaffirmed Nairobi’s commitment to fast-tracking the deal, stressing that a reciprocal trade pact would give Kenyan exporters secure access to the vast U.S. market while positioning the country as a regional investment hub.
“Kenya is deeply interested in the commencement of formal negotiations with the United States Government,” said Kinyanjui.
“A reciprocal trade agreement is crucial for securing long-term access to the U.S. market for Kenyan products and will provide the stability needed to unlock new investments. Already, a number of U.S. firms have expressed strong interest in establishing or expanding their operations in Kenya,”he added.
The Cabinet Secretary also delivered President William Ruto’s assurance of Kenya’s readiness to strengthen bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation with Washington.
On the American side, Ambassador Greer welcomed Kenya’s commitment, noting that the agreement could create a modern partnership built on mutual strengths.
“We applaud Kenya’s focus on strengthening trade with the United States,” Greer said.
“Let’s build a partnership that leverages the growth of America’s manufacturing sector while providing a stable market for Kenyan products which cannot be sourced locally,” he further stated.
According to official data, trade volumes between Kenya and the U.S. reached US\$1.5 billion in 2024, making America one of Kenya’s top export destinations outside Africa.
The proposed trade pact is expected to broaden this relationship by lowering trade barriers, diversifying exports and creating fresh opportunities for Kenyan agribusinesses, textiles and the services sector, while also attracting U.S. investment in technology, infrastructure and manufacturing.
The talks come at a crucial time, as Kenya looks to transition from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) framework, which has historically granted duty-free access for Kenyan exports to the U.S, to a more predictable and permanent arrangement that ensures continuity beyond AGOA’s expiry in 2025.
The Kenyan delegation included Principal Secretary for Trade, Ms. Regina Ombam,Kenya’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. David Kerich, Deputy Chief of Mission, Amb. Christopher Kirigua and technical trade experts.
Both sides concluded the meeting with a commitment to begin drafting the framework for negotiations in the coming months.
For Kenya, this pact could be a turning point, strengthening its role as a gateway for U.S. investment in Africa, boosting exports and anchoring long-term economic cooperation between Nairobi and Washington.
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