ARUSHA — Trade across the East African Community (EAC) increased sharply in the second quarter of 2026, reaching $52.3 billion, up 37 percent from $38.2 billion recorded during the same period last year.
According to EAC statistics covering April to June 2026, regional exports rose by 41.3 percent to $26.3 billion, while imports increased by 32.9 percent to $26 billion.
The stronger export performance pushed the region into a $300 million trade surplus, compared with a deficit of about $945.3 million during the second quarter of 2025.
Mineral commodities were a major driver of the increase. Copper and precious metals accounted for 61.9 percent of total EAC exports, compared with 58.7 percent a year earlier.
China emerged as the largest destination for EAC exports, with shipments nearly doubling from $5.7 billion to $10.7 billion. The increase was largely driven by minerals and other raw materials.
EAC exports to other African markets also recorded strong growth, rising by 44.3 percent to $7.2 billion. Exports to SADC countries increased by 50.8 percent to $5.1 billion, while exports to COMESA countries rose by 48.3 percent to $3.1 billion.
Trade among EAC member states also expanded. Intra-EAC exports increased by 33.2 percent to $3.2 billion, although their share of total regional exports fell slightly from 12.8 percent to 12.1 percent as exports to markets outside the bloc grew faster.
The EAC currently comprises Somalia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.
For Somalia, deeper integration into the regional bloc could open additional opportunities in exports, investment, logistics, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and regional supply chains as businesses gain greater access to East Africa’s expanding market.
