Washington d.c.: Kenya and the United States have taken a major step towards a reciprocal trade agreement following discussions in Washington D.C. between Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Jamieson Greer.
According to Kenya News Agency, the talks build on previous engagements between the two governments, including discussions led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and earlier consultations between CS Kinyanjui and Amb. Greer. In his remarks, Kinyanjui underscored Kenya's commitment to deepening its strategic ties with the United States through a mutually beneficial framework.
'Kenya is deeply interested in the commencement of formal negotiations with the United States Government. 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,' he said. The Cabinet Secretary further noted that several American firms had already expressed interest in either setting up or expanding operations in Kenya, saying the proposed trade agreement would serve as an enabler of sustained growth.
He also conveyed President William Ruto's message of goodwill, reaffirming Kenya's dedication to strengthening bilateral trade and investment. Ambassador Greer welcomed Kenya's approach and pledged U.S. support for a balanced agreement that would benefit both economies. 'We applaud Kenya's focus on strengthening trade with the United States. Let's build a partnership that leverages the growth of the manufacturing sector in America while providing a market for Kenyan products which cannot be sourced locally,' he said.
Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at about US$1.5 billion in 2024, a figure both sides believe could expand significantly under a formal pact. The proposed agreement is expected to broaden trade relations beyond existing frameworks, opening new opportunities for Kenyan exporters and investors while enhancing market access for American companies.
Officials at the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry said Kenya views the U.S. as a critical partner in its economic transformation agenda. In addition to market access, Kenya is seeking investment in value addition, agro-processing, technology, and manufacturing to drive job creation and industrialization. The move aligns with President Ruto's economic diplomacy strategy, which seeks to diversify export markets for Kenyan products while attracting sustainable foreign investment.
Analysts note that a reciprocal trade pact with Washington would provide predictability for exporters and help Kenya prepare for the eventual expiry of preferential frameworks such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Delegations emphasised the importance of anchoring the partnership on a rules-based trade framework.
Kenyan officials stressed that the agreement should open doors for products ranging from textiles and apparel to agricultural exports, while U.S. representatives highlighted the potential for expanded investment in Kenya's infrastructure and services sectors. The outcome of the discussions was a commitment by both sides to initiate the process of negotiating a reciprocal trade agreement, with technical teams expected to begin consultations in the coming months.
The Kenyan delegation included Principal Secretary for Trade, Ms. Regina Ombam, Kenya's Ambassador to the United States, David Kerich, Deputy Chief of Mission, Amb. Christopher Kirigua, and senior technical officials from the ministry. The pact is expected to become one of Kenya's most significant bilateral trade milestones in recent years, firmly anchoring its economic ties with the world's largest economy on a long-term and predictable footing.