The United States has announced a 10% tariff on all imports from Kenya, effective April 9, as part of a broader trade action initiated by President Trump.
This measure is based on the premise of reciprocal tariffs, with the White House stating that Kenya also levies a 10% tariff on U.S. goods, along with alleged currency manipulation and trade barriers.
The tariff will impact the $1.5 billion in total goods traded between the two countries in 2024. Kenyan exports to the U.S. totaled $737.3 million in 2024, a 17.5% decrease from the previous year, consisting largely of apparel, coffee, and tea. Meanwhile, U.S. exports to Kenya amounted to $782.5 million, a 61.4% increase from 2023.
Kenya has been a beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) since 2000, which provides duty-free access to the U.S. market. This act is set to expire in September.
Several other African nations also face the 10% base tariff, while some face even higher tariffs, including Nigeria (14%), Malawi (17%), and Zimbabwe (18%). Lesotho faces the highest reciprocal tariff at 50%.
