China, the United Arab Emirates, and India were Kenya’s top sources of imports in March 2025, the latest Leading Economic Indicators Report shows.
- •The value of imports from China rose by KSh 9.8 billion to KSh 45.8 billion in March 2025 compared to March 2024, as the Asian country retains its ranking at the top of Kenya’s sources of imports.
- •The UAE and India accounted for KSh 36.2 bn and KSh 25.1bn in imports respectively, followed by the USA, Japan, and South Africa.
- •In total, import values increased from KSh 202.9bn in February to KSh 215.1bn in March, with non-food industrial supplies accounting for 37.4% and fuel and lubricants accounting for 20.4%.
During the month, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Germany suffered decline in the value of imports to Kenya with Netherlands recording highest drop from Ksh8.3 billion in March last year to Ksh1.2 billion of same period 2025.
The value of United Kingdom’s imports to Kenya dropped from Ksh2.9 billion in March 2024 to Ksh2.4 billion March 2025 while German’s decline was marginal at Ksh 2.9billion compared to Ksh 3 billion in March 2024.
The total export value rose from KSh 93bn in February to KSh 95.3bn in March, with Uganda and the USA leading as export destinations. Kenya imported goods worth KSh 9.7bn and KSh 6.8bn to the two countries respectively.
“Food and beverage were the dominant export category, accounting for 45.2 per cent of total exports. Non food industrial supplies made up 22.2%, while machinery and other capital equipment comprised 2.4%,” said KNBS.
Other major export destinations include Netherlands (KSh 6.75bn), Pakistan (KSh 6.4bn), United Kingdom (KSh 5.5bn), and Tanzania (KSh 4.8bn).
