US Trade Deal Expiry Leaves Thousands of Kenyan Workers in Uncertainty

Sat Oct 11 2025 03:38:56 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The potential expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) could disrupt Kenya's garment industry, affecting thousands of workers and their families. Businesses are scrambling for clarity as negotiations unfold.

As the expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) looms, workers at Kenyan garment factories are facing an uncertain future. The law, which has allowed duty-free exports to the U.S. for 25 years, is crucial for sustaining jobs and livelihoods. Local officials are advocating for an extension to mitigate adverse effects on the economy and employment.

At Shona EPZ, a garment factory in Nairobi, anxiety hangs in the air as workers grapple with the impending expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This vital legislation, which provides duty-free access for certain African goods to the U.S. market, is set to lapse soon, plunging the fates of thousands into doubt.

The factory, which produces apparel exclusively for the American market, is one of many that have thrived under AGOA. Joan Wambui, a young seamstress at the plant, voices the concerns of many: If AGOA expires, where shall we go? Her income supports her family, and the loss of her job would have devastating consequences.

AGOA has been pivotal in fostering economic growth and job creation across Africa, particularly in Kenya, where the garment sector alone supports over 66,000 jobs. Manufacturers have now diminished output in response to the uncertainty surrounding trade policy, with many fearing layoffs could follow if a deal is not secured.

Local leaders are actively advocating for an extension of the act, emphasizing its importance for economic stability and employment among vulnerable populations, particularly women. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have expressed a tentative openness to prolonging AGOA for an additional year, but no formal announcement has yet been made.

This precarious situation highlights not just the economic impacts but also the human stories intertwined with these trade agreements, as workers await concrete answers that could affect their daily lives and futures.