Trading Partner Portal: Kenya

Overview

Memorandum on the Designation of Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally
The White House, June 24, 2024

United States-Kenya Joint Leaders’ Statement
The White House, May 23, 2024

Kenya: President Ruto’s U.S. State Visit Marks Major Milestone and Investment Opportunity
allAfrica.com, May 16, 2024

Trade Overview

US - Kenya - California Flags The Republic of Kenya is located on the eastern coast of Africa, bordered by South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast.

The population of Kenya totals 56.43 million people as of 2024, per the U.S. Department of Commerce with the official languages of the country being English and Swahili, with other dialects through out the region. Many ethnic groups speak their mother tongues within their communities. Kenya is classified as a lower-middle-income economy and is the largest economy in eastern and central Africa with a GDP of $124.5 billion in 2024. Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, serves as the major commercial hub.

U.S. – Kenya Trade

In February 2020, the U.S. announced its intent to negotiate a trade agreement with Kenya. This would be the first agreement with a sub-Saharan African country.

Total U.S.-Kenya two-way trade currently reached over $1.51 billion in 2024, with the U.S. exporting $771 million worth of goods to Kenya. Oil and gas made up the largest export category at $190 million. This was followed by transportation equipment ($168 million), chemicals ($166 million), computer and electronic products ($66 million), and paper ($33 million).

Imports from Kenya into the U.S. totaled $737 million in 2024. Apparel and accessories made up the largest portion at $533 million of the total. The next largest imports were agricultural products ($92 million), goods returned ($28 million), processed foods ($24 million), and (U.S. Department of Commerce)

California – Kenya Trade

In 2024, California exported $38 million worth of goods to Kenya. Top exports included computer and electronic products ($15 million), transportation equipment ($9 million), chemicals ($3 million), other special classification provisions ($3 million), and non-electrical machinery ($2 million).

In 2024, California imported $58 million worth of goods from Kenya, $23 million of which was made up apparel and accessories. This was followed by agricultural products ($19 million), goods returned ($8 million), processed foods ($5 million), and livestock and livestock products ($2 million). (U.S. Department of Commerce)

FDI – Kenya

U.S. foreign direct investment into Kenya totaled $205 million in 2023, while Kenya FDI into the U.S. totaled -$7 million (Bureau of Economic Analysis).

More Articles:

The Nairobi-Washington Vision
The White House, May 23, 2024