China Offers Kenya Tariff-Free Access To Chinese Market
Kenya is expected to reap significant economic gains from China after the Asian nation agreed to negotiations enabling Kenyan goods to access its market without tariffs, despite US-imposed trade hurdles harming local exports.
Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui revealed on Thursday that, following a recent bilateral trade engagement with China, Kenya will henceforth export 98.2% of its exports to China duty-free.
This implies they will not face import taxes or tariffs, which typically raise costs and impair competitiveness.
China’s larger duty-free and quota-free policy for African exports predominantly helps the Least Developed Countries, with emerging countries such as Kenya initially excluded.
To counter this, Kenya began negotiations to acquire a trade agreement that offers comparable benefits.
The early harvest framework is projected to diversify Kenya’s export basket, with a focus on agricultural products, which are the foundation of the country’s economy.
“We are pleased to share that these engagements have resulted in a preliminary agreement that allows for 98.2 per cent zero-duty market access for Kenyan goods,” Kinyanjui said.
Statement on Kenya-China Bilateral trade talks.
— Hon Lee Kinyanjui (@GovLeeKinyanjui) January 15, 2026
@MITIKenya @Trade_Kenya @Investment_Ke @IndustryKE pic.twitter.com/YthuYvgJG1
“The introduction of zero-duty access will unlock vast economic potential for Kenyan exporters, allowing for diversification of our export basket, especially in the agricultural sector, which is the mainstay of our economy.”
The CS stated that zero-duty access may boost earnings for Kenyan exporters, broaden market reach, and provide job possibilities in a variety of industries.
The accord comes after the United States placed tariffs on a number of countries, including Kenya, with a 10% baseline duty on all of Kenya’s exports.
This makes China an appealing alternative market for exporters looking for reduced prices and more stable trade terms.
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Meanwhile, the developments come just days after the United States House of Representatives voted to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade pact, whose future had been hanging in limbo until 2028.
Statement on AGOA extension. @MITIKenya @Trade_Kenya @IndustryKE @Investment_Ke pic.twitter.com/di0Vl8jiJh
— Hon Lee Kinyanjui (@GovLeeKinyanjui) January 14, 2026
The House approved the extension on Monday, January 12, after 340 House representatives voted in favour of the extension, against 54 who voted against.
Following the approval, the bill will now proceed to the U.S Senate before being signed into law.
This will effectively extend the act that aims to provide duty-free access to the U.S. market for eligible African countries and products.
China Offers Kenya Tariff-Free Access To Chinese Market
