The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was Kenya’s fastest growing export market in the region in 2024, in a year when Kenya’s trade relations with Africa underwent notable shifts.
- •Africa now accounts for 38.3% of Kenya’s total exports with the East African Community (EAC) member states accounting for 75.5% of that.
- •In 2024, Kenya’s total exports to Africa declined by 2.2% to KSh 425.6 billion from KSh 435.0 billion in 2023.
- •Uganda retained its position as Kenya’s largest export destination in Africa despite a marginal decline, while trade with DRC grew by 20%.
The modest contraction was driven mainly by lower exports to major regional peers such as Tanzania, South Sudan, Egypt, and Somalia. Despite a slight downturn in demand from Tanzania and South Sudan, intra-EAC trade remains Kenya’s strongest continental pillar.
Top African Export Destinations (2024)
| Country | 2023 Exports (KSh Million) | 2024 Exports (KSh Million) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda | 126,251 | 125,943 | -0.2% |
| Tanzania | 69,255 | 67,203 | -3.0% |
| Rwanda | 42,313 | 41,776 | -1.3% |
| South Sudan | 31,970 | 29,720 | -7.0% |
| DR Congo | 26,447 | 31,747 | +20.0% |
| Somalia | 21,647 | 17,453 | -19.4% |
| Egypt | 31,217 | 27,627 | -11.5% |
| Others | 83,854 | 58,165 | +7.3% |
| Total Africa | 434,954 | 425,634 | -2.2% |
The increased trade with DRC was mostly driven for palm oil, medicaments, and kerosene-type jet fuel re-exports.
Major Export Products to Africa (2023 vs 2024)
| Product | 2023 Export Value (KSh Billion) | 2024 Export Value (KSh Billion) | YoY Change |
| Horticultural Products (Total) | 156.7 | 136.6 | -12.8% |
| – Fruits (within Horticulture) | 32.4 | 41.0 | +26.5% |
| – Fresh Vegetables | 50.9 | 23.4 | -54.0% |
| Animal & Vegetable Oils (incl. Palm Oil) | 23.0 | 30.3 | +31.6% |
| Medicaments and Pharmaceuticals | 17.7 | 19.9 | +12.5% |
| Beer (Malt) | 3.7 | 2.5 | -31.0% |
| Edible Products and Preparations | 17.7 | 13.4 | -24.2% |
- •Palm Oil and Oils: Strong growth in DR Congo and South Sudan reflects growing demand for processed food commodities. Animal and vegetable oils surged 31.6% in export value.
- •Medicaments: Up 12.5%, exports of pharmaceuticals to DR Congo, Egypt, and South Sudan remain essential amid public health needs.
- •Horticulture: Fruits bucked the trend with a +26.5% rise, but vegetables dropped sharply due to global market shifts, suggesting possible redirected volumes to African markets.
- •Beer and Processed Foods: Exports to markets like South Sudan softened significantly, impacted by reduced consumer spending and logistical challenges.
Imports from Africa: Decline but Still Diverse
Kenya’s imports from Africa also fell slightly to KSh 270.7 billion. Notable drivers included lower maize and sugar imports from Egypt and South Africa. Imports from Tanzania, however, surged on demand for rice, coal, fertilizers, and oilseed meals—highlighting Tanzania’s growing influence.
| Source Country | 2023 Imports (KSh Billion) | 2024 Imports (KSh Billion) | Key Products |
| Egypt | 55.3 | 48.9 | Sugar, Chemicals |
| South Africa | 85.7 | 81.5 | Iron & Steel, Maize |
| Tanzania | 66.9 | 73.4 | Rice, Coal, Fertilizers |
| Uganda | 24.4 | 23.8 | Grains, Electricity |
| Others | 47.2 | 43.1 | Various |
| Total Africa | 279.5 | 270.7 | -3.1% YoY |
Looking ahead, AfCFTA implementation, deeper EAC integration, and diversification into higher-value products offer pathways to stronger trade performance.
However, challenges such as non-tariff barriers, currency fluctuations, and volatile global demand require strategic navigation.
