Tag: Kenya trade policy

A Slipping Shilling, a Challenging Market: What Uganda’s Currency Means for Kenya

For Kenya, whose manufacturers depend heavily on Uganda’s market, the Ugandan shilling is more than a foreign-exchange story. It is a question of purchasing power, industrial competitiveness, and the resilience of regional trade. The Ugandan shilling has weakened sharply against the US dollar, crossing the UGX4,000-per-dollar threshold in October 2026. When a currency […]...

Kenya’s Trade Patterns Shift as US Export Market Gains Narrow Gap with Uganda

Kenya’s export earnings from the United States rose sharply in the latest destination figures, bringing the North American market close to Uganda, the country’s leading export destination. Th...

11 Sep 2026

Protectionism and the EAC Common Market: Who Gets to Trade?

In recent weeks, Kenya’s retail landscape has undergone a significant policy pivot. Triggered by President William Ruto’s directive addressing micro-trader grievances in urban commercial centres,...

11 Sep 2026

Regional Lawyers Call Out President Ruto, Remind Kenya of EAC Obligations

The East Africa Law Society (EALS) has warned Kenya against discriminating against East African Community (EAC) citizens during its crackdown on foreign nationals engaged in small-scale trading and ha...

6 Sep 2026

Securing Market Access: AGOA’s Renewal and Kenya’s Export Ambitions

The United States Congress has extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for a further two years, securing preferential access to the US market until 31 December 2028. The extension was i...

29 Aug 2026

The KSh3.2M Question: Who Pays for Kenya’s Customs Loopholes?

A technical adjustment in customs administration has quickly escalated into a confrontation over the cost of doing business in Kenya. Following the Kenya Revenue Authority’s decision to raise the Cu...

29 Aug 2026

President Ruto to Headline AmCham Business Summit as Kenya Targets Fresh Investment

President William Ruto will serve as the chief guest at the AmCham Business Summit 2026, scheduled for September 9–10 in Nairobi. The summit will bring together senior government officials, investor...

14 Aug 2026

Beyond AGOA: Pushing for Certainty in the U.S. Market

Kenya’s trade ties with the United States could receive a major boost following the U.S. Senate’s approval of a proposal to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Act al...

19 Jun 2026

Kenya’s G7 Debut: A Voice for Africa as Western Powers Compete for the Continent

Kenya’s participation at the G7 Summit in France highlighted the delicate balance between international opportunity and domestic political risk, particularly as its presence came under the spotlight...

23 Jan 2026

AGOA’s Three-Year Reprieve: What the Extension Means for Kenya, and What Comes Next

The United States has extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for three years. This offers Kenya temporary relief, but it is also a clear test of whether preferential market access can ...