(Kenya) – Kenya’s exports to other African countries grew by 26% in the first seven months of 2024, reaching $1.93 billion (Sh248.7 billion) from $1.53 billion (Sh197.3 billion) in the same period the previous year, according to data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). This growth was primarily driven by increased shipments, strong bilateral relations, and rising demand for key products such as tea and re-exports of jet fuel.
In the first quarter of 2024, Kenya experienced significant export earnings from Egypt, which rose by 45.7% to Sh10.47 billion, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), where exports surged by 56% to Sh8.2 billion. The increase in exports was not limited to these countries, as other neighboring countries also saw growth. Exports to Tanzania grew by 18% to Sh16.74 billion, while Uganda’s exports increased by 7.4% to Sh33.34 billion, and South Sudan saw a 25.7% increase, reaching Sh9.27 billion.
Kenya’s main exports during this period included oil and lubricants (re-exports), tea, coffee, animal products, vegetable fats, clinker, wheat flour, and manufactured goods. The majority of these goods were sold to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, DR Congo, and South Africa, all of which showed strong demand. Uganda emerged as Kenya’s largest export market, contributing $599.2 million (Sh77.3 billion) to the total export earnings, followed by Tanzania with $287.8 million (Sh37.1 billion). Kenya also shipped goods worth $185.4 million (Sh23.9 billion) to Rwanda and $139.7 million (Sh18.02 billion) to DR Congo.
Kenya’s total exports in the first quarter of 2024 grew by 28%, reaching Sh232.7 billion, compared to Sh232.7 billion in the same period of 2023. Africa remains the largest market for Kenyan exports, accounting for 38.3% of the total export earnings in the quarter.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the rise in exports was largely due to increased domestic exports. Notably, exports of tea to Egypt, wheat flour to DR Congo, and re-exports of jet fuel to Tanzania contributed to the growth. Additionally, Kenya has strengthened its bilateral ties with several African countries, including Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, and Egypt, as part of efforts to eliminate trade barriers across the continent.
The surge in African exports can also be linked to the introduction of a visa-free policy in January 2024, which seeks to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This policy aims to facilitate intra-African trade and create a single market for goods and services, contributing to greater economic integration across Africa. In 2023, Kenya’s exports to Africa rose by 21.4% to $3.05 billion (Sh393.4 billion).
The AfCFTA, a key initiative under Africa’s Agenda 2063 development framework, seeks to enhance the continent’s global trade position by strengthening Africa’s common voice and policy in international negotiations. One of the key objectives is to deepen economic integration through the movement of goods, services, and people across African countries.
