East Africa’s exports are rising as new Asian and European markets reduce reliance on China and the Gulf.
East Africa’s export recovery is increasingly being driven by new markets beyond its traditional partners, signaling early progress in trade diversification. While China, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa remain major buyers, countries such as Indonesia, Italy, and Greece are emerging as fast-growing destinations for the region’s exports.
According to the East African Community’s latest Quarterly Statistics Bulletin, total exports rose 32.3% year-on-year to $19.6 billion in the three months to September 2025. This growth outpaced imports, narrowing the region’s trade deficit to $1.0 billion from $3.4 billion a year earlier.
Exports to Indonesia surged, pushing it into the EAC’s top ten destinations for the first time, while Italy and Greece recorded strong increases driven by demand for minerals, metals, fuels, and agricultural products like coffee and tea.
Despite these gains, exports remain concentrated in raw and semi-processed commodities, leaving the region exposed to global price swings. Still, the rise of new markets could help cushion future shocks if sustained.
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