The United States has implemented a 10% import tariff on goods from Kenya, among 185 other countries, through a new executive order.
This policy, signed by the US President, aims to bolster domestic manufacturing and enforce fair trade practices.
US President, Donald Trump, has announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs including the 10.0% baseline tariff applying to economies such as Kenya.
To make sense of what this means for Kenya, we need to understand what are Donald Trump’s demands regarding Kenya from a tariff… pic.twitter.com/pDojOm6rHe
— Julians Amboko (@AmbokoJH) April 3, 2025
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’oei, noted that the tariff is relatively low, aligning with rates applied to other nations like the UK, Egypt, and various East African countries. However, concerns remain regarding the long-term impact on trade, with a focus on strengthening intra-African trade as a potential mitigation strategy.
In 2024, Kenyan exports to the US totalled $737.3 million (Ksh. 95 billion), a 17.5% decrease from 2023. Imports from the US to Kenya reached $782.5 million (Ksh. 101 billion), marking a 61.4% increase from the previous year. Kenya’s primary exports to the US include textiles, horticulture, leather, coffee, and tea.
This new tariff coincides with the impending expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in September 2025, which has provided Kenya with tariff-free access to the US market since May 2000.
Significantly higher tariff rates have been imposed on other countries, including Lesotho, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) has expressed concern over the potential repercussions for Kenyan exporters, investors, and key industries.
The KNCCI will convene an urgent meeting with stakeholders to develop mitigation strategies, emphasizing the need for diversification of markets.
“The reciprocal tariffs by the Trump Administration are a wake-up call to reassess Kenya’s economic structure since 1960. This presents a unique opportunity to build resilient local industries, particularly in IT, digital technology, equipment, and machinery, to drive industrialization,” KNCCI noted in a statement.
Additionally, the KNCCI, in partnership with government ministries, will explore alternative export opportunities and lobby for policies that improve Kenya’s ease of doing business.
The situation also underscores the necessity for increased intra-African trade to enhance economic resilience.