Describes bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that this country is party to, including with the United States. Includes websites and other resources where U.S. companies can get more information on how to take advantage of these agreements.
Last Published: 8/13/2019

Multilateral Trade System (MTS)
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only international organization dealing with the global rules of trade between nations. Kenya has been a member of the WTO since its inception in January 1995.

The WTO's 10th Ministerial Conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2015. The Conference culminated in the adoption of the "Nairobi Package", a series of six Ministerial Decisions on agriculture, cotton, and issues related to least-developed countries (LDCs).

Regional Markets
Kenya is a member of the East African Community (EAC) with a population of approximately 145 million. It is also a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) with a population of approximately 400 million. Exports and imports within member countries enjoy preferential tariff rates. EAC Member States have signed a Protocol to establish a common Customs Union.

Moreover, the East African Community is the regional intergovernmental organization of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Tanzania, with headquarters located in Arusha in Tanzania. The Community was officially established in 1999. The EAC countries cover an estimated area of 2.47 million square kilometers and have a population of over 145 million people and share common history, language, culture, and infrastructure. These advantages provide the partner states with a unique framework for regional co-operation and integration.

ACP/Cotonou Partnership Agreement
Exports from Kenya entering the European Union are entitled to duty reductions and freedom from all quota restrictions. Trade preferences include duty-free entry of all industrial products as well as a wide range of agricultural products including beef, fish, dairy products, cereals, fresh and processed fruits, and vegetables. Additional information is available at African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States.

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
Kenya qualifies for duty free access until 2025 to the U.S. market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Some of Kenya's major products that qualify for export under AGOA include textiles, apparels, and handicrafts.

Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
Under the Generalized System of Preferences, a wide range of Kenya's manufactured products are entitled to preferential duty treatment in the United States, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Austria, and other European countries. In addition, no quantitative restrictions are applicable to Kenyan exports on any of the 3,000-plus items currently eligible for GSP treatment. Additional information is available at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Bilateral Trade Agreements
Kenya has signed bilateral trade agreements with several countries:
Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Bulgaria, China, Comoros, Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Egypt, Hungary, India, Iraq, Lesotho, Liberia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Korea, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Additional agreements are under negotiation with several additional countries:
Belarus, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Mozambique, and South Africa.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.


More Information

Kenya Trade Development and Promotion Trade Agreements