Nairobi, Kenya| The East African Community (EAC) has delivered its most impressive quarterly trade performance in recent years, with total trade volume soaring by 28.4% year-on-year to reach USD 38.2 billion in the second quarter of 2025 (April–June), according to the latest EAC Trade and Investment Statistics Bulletin.
The figures, presented at the 47th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI) held in Nairobi, underscore a robust post-pandemic recovery across the eight-member bloc comprising Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Exports Lead the Charge with 40.5% Growth
The headline growth was overwhelmingly driven by a sharp rise in exports, which leapt 40.5% from USD 13.2 billion in Q2 2024 to USD 18.6 billion in Q2 2025.
This export boom signals stronger global and regional demand for East African commodities, manufactured goods, and services.
Imports also expanded, though at a more moderate pace of 18.8%, climbing from USD 16.5 billion to USD 19.6 billion over the same period.
The faster growth in exports narrowed the region’s trade deficit and improved the overall trade balance compared to the previous year.
Intra-EAC Trade Grows 24.5% – But Remains Stubbornly Low
Trade among EAC Partner States themselves – known as intra-EAC trade – recorded healthy growth of 24.5%, rising from USD 3.7 billion in Q2 2024 to USD 4.6 billion in Q2 2025.
Despite the increase, intra-regional trade still accounts for only 12.1% of the Community’s total trade – a figure that has hovered between 10–15% for years and lags far behind more integrated blocs such as the European Union (around 60%) or ASEAN (around 25%).
“We Can and Must Do Better” – PS Karugu Calls for Urgent Removal of Barriers
Speaking at the SCTIFI meeting, Dr. Caroline Karugu, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for EAC Affairs and Chairperson of the EAC Coordination Committee, welcomed the strong numbers but issued a pointed warning about untapped potential.
“The share of intra-EAC trade remains disappointingly low at 12.1%. This tells us that deliberate and aggressive measures are required to unlock the full promise of our Common Market,” Dr. Karugu stated.
She identified persistent non-tariff barriers (NTBs), discriminatory taxes, differing standards, and administrative bottlenecks as the primary obstacles holding back deeper regional integration.
“If we systematically eliminate these barriers – especially the stubborn NTBs and discriminatory levies – the EAC can realistically push intra-regional trade above 50% in the coming years,” she asserted, adding that such a leap would create millions of jobs, stabilize currencies, and make East African economies far more resilient to global shocks.
Key Numbers at a Glance (Q2 2024 vs Q2 2025)
- Total EAC trade: USD 29.7 billion → USD 38.2 billion (+28.4%)
- Exports: USD 13.2 billion → USD 18.6 billion (+40.5%)
- Imports: USD 16.5 billion → USD 19.6 billion (+18.8%)
- Intra-EAC trade: USD 3.7 billion → USD 4.6 billion (+24.5%)
- Intra-EAC share of total trade: 12.1% (still far below potential)
What’s Next for the EAC?
Delegates at the Nairobi meeting directed the EAC Secretariat to accelerate the full operationalization of the online NTB monitoring and resolution platform, harmonize axle-load limits and vehicle standards, and fast-track mutual recognition of professional qualifications and product certifications.
With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) now in its trading phase, a more integrated and competitive EAC bloc is seen as critical for the region to negotiate and benefit from continent-wide opportunities.
The strong Q2 2025 performance has injected fresh optimism among policymakers and the private sector that, with political will and swift removal of remaining barriers, East Africa could soon become one of the world’s fastest-growing regional markets.
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