Eastern Africa Demonstrates Trade Resilience Amidst Global Challenges
Eastern Africa is experiencing a period of robust trade growth, defying broader global headwinds and showcasing increasing economic resilience. Recent data indicates a meaningful shift in trade patterns, driven by a combination of trade diversion, commodity price increases, and a growing focus on intra-African commerce.
A notable advancement has been the surge in exports to the United States. ethiopia and Kenya, in particular, posted significant gains – a 95 percent and 22 percent increase respectively – largely due to the redirection of trade flows as a result of tariffs impacting other major exporters. while Eastern African nations also faced US tariffs, these were considerably lower - 10 percent for Ethiopia and Kenya, compared to 30 percent levied on China. Consequently, Chinese exports to the US declined by 35.6% between July 2024 and July 2025.
Beyond transatlantic trade,regional integration is gaining momentum. Intra-African trade within the East African Community (EAC) exceeded $11 billion in 2024, a 22 percent increase from the previous year. This growth, outpacing the 0.4 percent increase in exports to non-African markets, is fueled by agricultural products and manufactured goods including textiles, chemicals, cement, and pharmaceuticals, highlighting the potential of regional value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
A global commodity boom has further bolstered export performance. Between January 2024 and July 2025, gold prices rose by over 60 percent, and coffee prices nearly doubled. Tanzania and Uganda,major gold producers,benefited significantly,with Uganda also experiencing strong export growth in coffee,tea,fish,and flowers. KenyaS tea exports reached a record $1.7 billion in 2024, up from $1.4 billion the year before.
Despite these positive trends, structural challenges remain. The region’s export profile is increasingly dominated by minerals, now accounting for 53% of all Eastern African exports. Concurrently, the share of manufacturing in exports has declined to 17.5 percent in 2024.
Governments across Eastern Africa are actively addressing these challenges through strategic investments and policy initiatives. Recent developments include the launch of Phase II of the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone in Kenya, the completion of the Tanga Port expansion and the establishment of agricultural export corridors in Tanzania, a bilateral agreement between Uganda and Kenya to eliminate non-tariff barriers, the development of Rusizi Port in rwanda to improve regional logistics, and upgrades to the Moyale One-Stop Border Post and expansion of industrial parks in Ethiopia.
Looking forward,the Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca) emphasizes the need for Eastern Africa to prepare for potential changes to the african Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by diversifying export markets and strengthening intra-African trade. Long-term competitiveness will depend on reducing reliance on commodities, revitalizing the manufacturing sector, and deepening regional integration.
This information is provided by the Uneca subregional office for East Africa,serving 14 countries: Burundi,Comoros,RD Congo,Djibouti,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Kenya,Madagascar,Rwanda,Seychelles,Somalia,South Sudan,Tanzania and Uganda.
Contact Information:
ECA: Mr. Didir Habimana; habimanad@un.org; Tel. 250-788319899
Communications Section, Economic Commission for Africa; eca-info@un.org; Tel: +251 11 551 5826.
