KAMPALA, November 12, 2025 — The East African Community [ EAC ] recorded a strong upswing in international merchandise trade during the second quarter of 2025, underscoring the region’s resilience and growing competitiveness in global markets.
Overall trade performance
According to the latest EAC Quarterly Statistics Bulletin, total trade rose by 28.4 percent to US$ 38.2 billion, up from US$ 29.7bln in the same quarter of 2024.This performance was driven largely by exports, which surged by 40.5 percent to US$ 18.6bln, reflecting rising global demand for EAC products.
Imports grew more moderately by 18.8 percent to US$ 19.6bln. As a result, the trade deficit narrowed significantly from US$ 3.2bln to US$ 0.9bln, marking a notable improvement in the external trade balance.
Intra-African and regional trade
Trade with other African countries expanded by 42.9 percent to US$ 9.3bln, now accounting for 24.5 percent of total trade. Intra-EAC trade grew by 24.5 percent to US$ 4.6bln, representing 12.1 percent of total trade.
The EAC also deepened its commercial links with COMESA and SADC, which contributed 9.9 percent and 15.2 percent, respectively, to the region’s trade portfolio.
Export markets and key commodities
Exports were maintained by strong demand from China, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Singapore, which together absorbed 62.8 percent of total exports, up from 40.1 percent a year earlier. Malaysia and South Africa registered the highest quarter-on-quarter growth.
The top five export commodities: copper, precious stones and metals, coffee and tea, mineral fuels, and ores, which accounted for 79.6 percent of total exports, compared to 77.2 percent in Q2 2024, highlighting the region’s growing specialisation in high-value goods.
Import sources and composition
China remained the leading source of imports, contributing US$ 4.7bln or 24.2 percent of the total. The UAE, India, South Africa, and Japan also maintained strong positions, jointly accounting for more than half of the import bill.
Key imported commodities included petroleum products [US$ 4.1 billion], machinery US$ 1.8bln vehicles [US$ 1.5bln], precious metals [US$ 1.5bln], plastics, and iron and steel products, reflecting continued investment in infrastructure, industry, and energy.
Economic outlook
Overall, the EAC’s trade performance in Q2 2025 signals a dynamic and diversified regional economy. The narrowing trade deficit, rising exports, and expanding intra-African trade point to a positive trajectory for integration and sustainable growth.
The EAC Secretariat remains committed to fostering a conducive environment for trade and investment, enhancing value addition, and promoting shared prosperity across Partner States.
Interest rates and credit conditions
On monetary conditions, the Bulletin notes that short-term interest rates increased across most EAC Partner States in quarter two [Q2] 2025, except in Kenya, where the 91-day Treasury bill rate declined by 70 basis points to 8.2 percent. Uganda and Burundi recorded the highest Treasury bill rates at 11.2 and 8.6 percent, respectively.
The bulletin shows that the lending rate declined for both Kenya and Tanzania while Uganda recorded the highest increase of 140 basis points.
Deposit rates declined or remained stable for majority of Partner States except for Tanzania who recorded an increase of 70 basis points. South Sudan registered the widest interest rate spread [13.7 percent], whereas Tanzania recorded the narrowest [6.5 percent].
Money supply and credit expansion
“The EAC money supply [M3] grew by 19.1 percent year-on-year in Q2 2025 which was driven mainly by a 19.2 percent rise in credit to the private sector reflecting continued monetary expansion across the region,” reveals the bulletin.
The EAC Quarterly Statistics Bulletin is compiled by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with National Statistics Offices and Central Banks of the Partner States. It provides harmonised data on inflation, trade, money supply and other key macroeconomic indicators to inform policy and planning.
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