With the future of the US African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) hanging in uncertainty, Kenya is turning its attention toward Turkey’s textile and garment industry as part of a broader strategy to diversify export markets and reduce dependency on the US.
Speaking at the 5th Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum in Istanbul, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Investments, said the country aims to attract Turkish manufacturers by leveraging its duty-free access to the European Union (EU) through the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
“We need to think ahead and diversify, and we know that Turkey is strong in textiles and garments, focusing on the European market with which we enjoy an Economic Partnership Agreement and duty-free access,” Abubakar noted.
Encouraging Turkish Investment in Local Manufacturing
Kenya is encouraging Turkish textile and apparel firms to establish manufacturing facilities within its borders, taking advantage of the country’s strategic trade agreements and growing industrial base. The move aligns with Kenya’s long-term vision of becoming a regional textile manufacturing hub for export to both African and European markets.
“We want Turkish companies to set up manufacturing units in Kenya,” Abubakar added, as reported by local media.
National Strategy to Boost High-Value Exports
The Kenyan government is implementing several initiatives to strengthen its export competitiveness, including the National Export Strategy and the Route to Market Strategy, which aim to help local businesses transition toward high-value exports and diversify global trade relationships.
As uncertainty looms over AGOA’s renewal, Kenya’s outreach to Turkish investors underscores a proactive effort to secure new partnerships, expand textile production capacity, and position itself as a gateway for trade between Africa and Europe.
