The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has overtaken Uganda to become Kenya’s fastest-growing export market within the East African Community (EAC) bloc, new data shows, despite frosty diplomatic relations between Nairobi and Kinshasa. According to the latest official data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Kenya’s exports to the DRC surged by more than half (56.04 percent) to Ksh8.62 billion ($66 million at current exchange rates) in the first three months of the year, marking the biggest year-on-year growth in over a decade.
The substantial increase in exports is largely attributed to the rise in domestic exports of wheat flour to the DRC. “Notably, there was increased domestic exports of wheat flour to the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the KNBS highlighted in its latest Balance of Payment report, covering the first quarter of 2024. This surge in exports has positioned the DRC as a key market for Kenyan goods within the EAC.
An analysis of the KNBS data reveals that quarterly exports to Africa’s second-largest country by land mass have remained consistently above Ksh7 billion ($54 million) since July last year. This was when Kenya reduced import duty on wheat imports from 35 percent to 10 percent. This policy move has played a significant role in boosting Kenya’s exports to the DRC. Kenya’s Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Njuguna Ndung’u, emphasized that the reduced taxes, maintained for the current year ending June 2025, aimed to ensure sufficient wheat supply to meet local demand while protecting local wheat farmers from unfair competition from imported wheat.
Increased Demand
In the first nine months ending March 2024, Kenyan traders exported goods worth nearly Ksh23.88 billion ($185 million) to the DRC since the reduced duty on wheat took effect. This represents a significant 57.48 percent increase over Ksh15.16 billion ($117 million) recorded previously. The KNBS also identified wheat flour as the primary driver of export demand in the second half of the previous year, further highlighting the critical role of agricultural products in Kenya’s trade dynamics with the DRC.
Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions between Kenya and the DRC, the trade relationship has flourished, demonstrating the resilience and mutual benefits of economic ties. The growth in exports underscores the potential for further strengthening trade relations and exploring new market opportunities within the EAC bloc. This trend also aligns with Kenya’s broader strategy to diversify its export markets and reduce dependency on traditional trading partners.
The remarkable growth in Kenya’s exports to the DRC signifies a promising development for both nations. It highlights the importance of strategic economic policies and regional cooperation in driving trade and economic growth. As Kenya continues to enhance its trade relations within the EAC, the DRC’s emergence as a top export destination showcases the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships that can drive sustainable economic development across the region.
