On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the Africa Center for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) at the University of Nairobi, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Section, convened a seminar entitled U.S.-Kenya Trade and Investment Partnership: Looking Back and Moving Forward
The seminar aimed to examine the evolution of diplomatic, trade, and investment relations between the United States and Kenya over the past six decades. It explored the dynamic nature of this relationship, its historical development, and the current and prospective frameworks that facilitate bilateral engagement. This gathering brought together esteemed academics, policymakers, and business leaders, focusing on pivotal themes such as trade, investment, and Kenya’s strategic role as a gateway to East Africa.
Key discussion points included:
The legacy of AGOA: An assessment of AGOA's contributions to trade relations between the United States and Kenya, its impact on Kenya's economic development, and the essential insights gained from its implementation to inform future trade frameworks.
Advancing through STIP: A comprehensive analysis of the objectives and potential of the U.S.-Kenya strategic trade and investment partnership (STIP) in strengthening bilateral trade relations, with particular emphasis on existing frameworks that address nontariff barriers and enhance the business environment.
Kenya's Position as a Strategic Economic Partner: A thorough evaluation of Kenya’s critical role as the gateway to East Africa, its importance within the framework of U.S. trade strategy, and the prospects for enhancing bilateral trade and investment relations.
Shaping U.S.-Kenya Trade Policy: An examination of how the evolution of U.S. trade policies, including STIP, may influence the future of U.S.-Kenya relations and establish a precedent for U.S. trade engagement with the African continent in the post-AGOA context.
The seminar was designed to serve as a comprehensive framework aimed at providing valuable insights into the evolving trade and investment landscape between the United States and Kenya. It acted as a platform for a diverse array of stakeholders—including academics, policymakers, representatives of civil society, and business leaders—to engage in meaningful dialogue regarding the enhancement of bilateral trade and investment relations. Additionally, the discussions were intended to foster a more robust and sustainable partnership in trade and investment between the two nations.
Moderator:
Luke Anami, Journalist, The East African, Nation Media Group
Panellists:
Prof. John Mbaku, Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor of Economics and Attorney and Counselor at Law at Weber State University
Hon. Mukhisa Kituyi, Ph.D., Former Secretary-General, UNCTAD
Tobias Alando, Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Association of Manufacturers
Wilmot Allen, Ph.D., Founder, VentureLift Africa
Elijah Nyaga Munyi, Ph.D., Research Manager and Policy Writer, TradeMark Africa
This seminar is part of a distinguished ACSUS program, sponsored by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy, commemorating 60 years of partnership between the United States and Kenya. The purpose of this seminar is to enhance understanding and awareness of the bilateral relations between the U.S. and Kenya, while also exploring prospective opportunities for collaboration in critical areas such as trade, investment, security, governance, and health.
