Kenya, US to conclude trade negotiations on Friday - CS Mvurya

The United States and Kenya will conclude negotiations of their Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) on Friday, Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has said.

Mvurya said the two countries will have another round of negotiations in September to discuss areas that were not conclusively covered.

“In September, we will host an enhanced team from the US for the discussions,” he said.

“We cannot share key positions taken because we are still discussing.”

Alfred K'Ombudo, the PS for the State Department for Trade led the Kenyan delegation during Friday’s meeting with officials from Trade Representative Office of the US.

The goal of the partnership is to increase investment, promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, benefit workers, consumers, and businesses (including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises) and support African regional economic integration.

The United States and Kenya launched the partnership on July 14, 2022, and announced that the two governments would pursue enhanced engagement leading to high standard commitments in a wide range of areas.

Speaking to the media, Mvurya said the partnership will go a long way in boosting trade between the two countries as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) comes to an end in 2025.

The CS said Kenya will together with other African governments be pushing for an extension of Agoa beyond 2025.

“We are committed to Africa’s position on Agoa,” he stated.

The duty-and quota-free access to the US market granted by Agoa has helped in boosting trade and investment between sub-Saharan Africa and the US.

AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products, in addition to the more than 5,000 products that are eligible for duty-free access under the Generalised System of Preferences programme.

Enacted in 2000, Agoa is set to expire in 2025. The US Congress has introduced proposals to extend Agoa until 2041.

Senators Chris Coons of Delaware and James Risch of Idaho introduced the bipartisan Agoa Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024 in March 2024, which would see Agoa cover 54 African countries.