Kenya’s exports to African countries surged by 26% in the first seven months of 2024, driven by increased shipments and stronger regional relationships, according to a recent economic report from the Central Bank of Kenya.
Exports reached 248.7 billion Kenyan Shillings (approximately 1.93 billion USD), up from 1.53 billion USD during the same period in 2023.
Key markets included Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, DR Congo, and South Africa, with high demand for goods such as tea, coffee, re-exported oil and lubricants, animal products, vegetable fats, and manufactured items. Notably, export earnings from Uganda topped 599.2 million USD, while Tanzania and Rwanda brought in 287.8 million USD and 185.4 million USD, respectively.
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Kenya has recently strengthened its trade ties across Africa, promoting intra-African trade through initiatives such as the visa-free policy introduced in January 2024. This move supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by facilitating easier trade interactions within the region.
In 2023, Kenya’s total exports to Africa grew by 21.4%, reaching 3.05 billion USD, reflecting the country’s ongoing efforts to enhance regional trade partnerships.
Intra-African trade presents a significant opportunity for the continent to unlock economic potential by fostering closer regional integration, improving value chains, and reducing dependency on external markets. With the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), African countries can leverage their diverse resources, industries, and consumer markets to drive growth from within.
Additionally, increasing intra-African trade helps build resilience against global economic shocks by reducing reliance on volatile international markets. It encourages investment in infrastructure such as transport and energy, which is critical for the development of more efficient trade routes across the continent. In turn, this supports industrialisation, innovation, and sustainable development, while also enabling African countries to retain more wealth within the continent by trading with each other rather than relying on imports from outside.
