For six months, Ms. Wambui has worked at Shona EPZ in Nairobi, stitching sportswear destined for the American market. Her modest wage sustains not only her four-year-old daughter but also two sisters in college and her mother. Like thousands of Kenyan workers, she fears the uncertainty surrounding the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
“If AGOA expires, where shall we go?” she asks, noting that her salary has brought dignity and stability — paying school fees, keeping food on the table, and offering hope for a better future.
Kenya’s apparel industry has flourished under AGOA. In 2024 alone, the country exported clothing worth KSh 60 billion to the U.S., supporting more than 66,000 jobs, three-quarters of them held by women, according to the Kenya Private Sector Alliance. Factories like Shona EPZ not only provide jobs but also offer training and second chances to young people who might otherwise face bleak futures.
However, the lack of clarity over AGOA’s renewal has already slowed production. Shona EPZ’s monthly output has dropped by nearly two-thirds as buyers hold back long-term orders. Added to this, a 10% U.S. tariff introduced earlier this year has further dampened sales.
The stakes extend beyond Kenya. Over 30 African countries benefit from AGOA, exporting more than 6,000 products to the U.S. The program has been credited with creating jobs, boosting industries, and strengthening Africa’s role in global trade.
At the recent UN General Assembly, Kenya’s Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui emphasized the need for an extension to allow a smoother transition. President William Ruto also urged Washington to extend AGOA by at least five years while pursuing a bilateral trade deal with the U.S. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed similar concerns.
Trade experts argue that Africa must also reduce its reliance on U.S. markets by strengthening intra-African trade through the continental free-trade area. But for workers like Ms. Wambui, diplomatic negotiations feel far removed from the daily reality of supporting a family.
Her appeal is simple: “We have ideas and the drive to make a difference. We just need support to show our potential.”
