(Kenya) – Kenya’s exports to the rest of Africa have surged by 26 percent in the first seven months of 2024, reaching $1.93 billion (Sh248.7 billion), up from $1.53 billion (Sh197.3 billion) during the same period in 2023, according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
This growth is attributed to several factors, including stronger bilateral relations, increased shipment volumes, and heightened demand for key exports like tea and jet fuel re-exports. Specifically, Kenya saw a significant increase in export earnings from major trading partners like Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), with exports to Egypt rising by 45.7 percent to Sh10.47 billion, and to DR Congo by 56 percent to Sh8.2 billion.
Other countries also reported notable growth in exports from Kenya, including Tanzania, where export earnings increased by 18 percent to Sh16.74 billion, Uganda, which saw a 7.4 percent rise to Sh33.34 billion, and South Sudan, where exports grew by 25.7 percent to Sh9.27 billion. The total value of Kenya’s exports to Africa in the first quarter of 2024 also saw a 28 percent rise, increasing from Sh232.7 billion in the first quarter of 2023.
Kenya’s primary exports during this period included oil and lubricants (re-exports), tea, coffee, animals, vegetable fats, clinker, wheat flour, and various manufactured goods. Uganda remained Kenya’s largest export market on the continent, accounting for $599.2 million (Sh77.3 billion) of the total export earnings, followed by Tanzania with $287.8 million (Sh37.1 billion), and Rwanda with $185.4 million (Sh23.9 billion). The Democratic Republic of Congo also contributed $139.7 million (Sh18.02 billion).
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) attributes the increased export growth to higher domestic exports, particularly tea to Egypt, wheat flour to DR Congo, and manufactured goods like washing machines to South Sudan. Additionally, re-exports of kerosene-type jet fuel to Tanzania have been a key contributor to the surge.
Kenya’s trade policy has played a significant role in strengthening its export performance. The country has built strong bilateral ties with several African nations, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Rwanda, and Egypt. These efforts have been supported by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to eliminate trade barriers and boost intra-Africa trade. Kenya’s exports to Africa saw a 21.4 percent increase in 2023, totaling $3.05 billion (Sh393.4 billion).
In January 2024, Kenya introduced a visa-free policy to further capitalize on the opportunities presented by AfCFTA, which aims to deepen economic integration across the continent. The initiative is expected to continue fostering Kenya’s role in boosting Africa’s global trade position and enhancing economic cooperation within the region.
| Country | Export Earnings (Sh Billion) | Export Earnings (USD Million) | Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda | 33.34 | 599.2 | 7.4 |
| Tanzania | 16.74 | 287.8 | 18 |
| Rwanda | 23.9 | 185.4 | – |
| DR Congo | 8.2 | 139.7 | 56 |
| South Sudan | 9.27 | 157.6 | 25.7 |