Kenya’s exports to other African nations saw a 26% increase in the first seven months of 2024, driven by strengthened bilateral relations and expanded shipments, according to a recent Central Bank report.

The report highlighted that exports reached 248.7 billion shillings (approximately $1.93 billion USD) between January and July, up from $1.53 billion during the same period in 2023.

Kenya’s main trading partners in Africa—Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and South Africa—demonstrated significant demand for Kenyan goods.

Kenya’s key exports included tea, coffee, re-exported oil and lubricants, livestock, vegetable fats, clinker, wheat flour, and various manufactured products.

The report detailed the top recipients, with Uganda receiving $599.2 million worth of goods, Tanzania $287.8 million, Rwanda $185.4 million, and the DRC $139.7 million.

Kenya’s proactive diplomatic engagement across the continent, bolstered by initiatives like the visa-free policy introduced in January 2024, has been pivotal in fostering this trade growth.

The policy aligns with Kenya’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to eliminate barriers to intra-African trade.

Kenya’s exports to the continent had also risen by 21.4% in 2023, reaching $3.05 billion, indicating a consistent upward trend in the nation’s intra-African trade.

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