East Africa: $52.3 billion in trade and $300 million surplus

Exports surged by 41.3% to $26.3 billion, while imports rose by 32.9% to $26 billion. These figures cover the period from April to June and are sourced from the East African Community’s quarterly statistical bulletin.

African markets absorbed $7.2 billion in exports from the region, reflecting a 44.3% increase and accounting for 27.5% of total exports. Sales to Southern African Development Community countries jumped by 50.8% to $5.1 billion, while exports to COMESA increased by 48.3% to $3.1 billion.

Trade among Community members also grew, but at a slower pace than external trade. Intra-EAC exports rose by 33.2% to $3.2 billion. However, their share of total exports declined from 12.8% in the second quarter of 2025 to 12.1% a year later.

China significantly contributed to the acceleration of external sales. EAC exports to the Chinese market nearly doubled, increasing from $5.7 billion in the second quarter of 2025 to $10.7 billion in the same quarter of 2026, according to data reported by Africa Briefing.