Kenya secures zero-duty access to China

Kenya has secured a major trade breakthrough after reaching a preliminary agreement with China that will allow 98.2 per cent of Kenyan exports to enter the Chinese market duty-free, a move expected to significantly boost the country’s export earnings and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
The agreement, announced by Kenya’s Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, will eliminate import taxes on most Kenyan products, with a strong focus on agricultural exports such as tea, coffee, avocados and other produce. Officials say the deal will make Kenyan goods more competitive in China, the world’s largest consumer market, while opening new opportunities for farmers and exporters.

The zero-duty access forms part of an “early harvest” arrangement and is still subject to ratification by Kenya’s Parliament before it becomes fully effective. The government described the deal as a strategic response to shifting global trade dynamics, including higher tariffs imposed by the United States and uncertainty surrounding the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which previously granted Kenya preferential access to the U.S. market.

Kinyanjui noted that while China’s broader duty-free trade schemes are typically reserved for least developed countries, Kenya successfully negotiated similar benefits despite its developing-economy status. He said the agreement is expected to attract investment, create jobs and help diversify Kenya’s export markets beyond traditional partners.

The deal underscores Kenya’s growing focus on expanding trade partnerships and positioning itself more strongly in global markets, offering renewed optimism for local producers seeking access to one of the world’s most lucrative economies.