NAIROBI, Kenya.
The United States has overtaken Uganda as Kenya’s leading export destination, highlighting a sharp recovery in Kenyan shipments to the American market following the restoration of preferential trade access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Kenya’s exports to the US reached Sh63.59 billion between March and July 2026, nearly doubling from Sh32.51 billion during the same period last year, according to data from the Kenya Revenue Authority published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
Uganda, meanwhile, imported Kenyan goods worth Sh60.54 billion during the five-month period.
The surge in exports to the US has been driven largely by renewed demand for Kenyan apparel and agricultural products. American buyers resumed orders after AGOA preferences were restored, following months of uncertainty after the previous arrangement expired in September 2025.
Kenyan manufacturers have also benefited from the fact that several competing Asian apparel-producing countries have faced additional US tariffs, giving Kenyan exporters a cost advantage.
The apparel sector remains particularly important, with Kenyan factories supplying international brands including H&M, Levi’s, JCPenney and Wrangler.
The development comes as Washington has extended AGOA through December 2028, giving Kenyan manufacturers and investors a longer planning horizon.
For Kenya, the growing US market could provide an important boost to foreign-exchange earnings, manufacturing employment and investment in export-oriented industries.
However, the figures also underline the importance of Kenya diversifying its export base and maintaining preferential access to major international markets.
SOURCE: Business Daily
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