in-person negotiations

Kenya-US: 10 crucial issues to tackle at the trade talks

By Jeff Otieno

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Posted on April 18, 2023 15:52

© Kenya’s Chief Negotiator to the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership between US and Kenya Alfred K Ombudo on 17 April 2023. (Photo: @Trade_Kenya)
Kenya’s Chief Negotiator to the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership between US and Kenya Alfred K Ombudo on 17 April 2023. (Photo: @Trade_Kenya)

As Kenya and the US begin the second round of the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) negotiations, concerns are being raised on whether the two sides will fully address key issues that have held back Kenya’s economic take-off. What are the top 10 issues to follow?

The Export Processing Zone manufactures apparel for the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which comes to an end in 2025.

Fears abound that the decades-old deal, a preferential trade programme which allows duty- and quota-free access to the US market for sub-Saharan African countries, might not be renewed after it expires in September 2025.

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