The East African Community (EAC) recorded a significant expansion in international merchandise trade in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting rising economic activity across the region and stronger demand in global markets.
According to the EAC Quarterly Statistics, total trade between the bloc and the rest of the world rose from US$35.4 billion (Shs133.1 trillion) in Q1 2025 to $46.3 billion (Shs174.1 trillion) in Q1 2026.
This represents an annual growth rate of 30.7 percent, marking one of the strongest trade performances for the region in recent years.
Exports grew faster than imports over the period, improving the bloc’s overall trade position. Exports increased by 33.3 percent, rising from $18.0 billion (Shs67.7 trillion) to $24.0 billion (Shs90.2 trillion), while imports grew by 28.1 percent from $17.4 billion (Shs65.4 trillion) to $22.4 billion (Shs84.2 trillion).
As a result, the trade surplus widened from US$0.6 billion (Shs2.26 trillion) in Q1 2025 to US$1.6 billion (Shs6.02 trillion) in Q1 2026.
The performance was largely driven by strong mineral exports, particularly copper, which accounted for 44.8 percent of total exports. Precious metals and stones also expanded their share to 21.6 percent, reinforcing the region’s reliance on extractive commodities.
Agricultural exports such as coffee, tea and spices continued to provide steady support to regional export earnings.
Africa remained the EAC’s largest trading partner, accounting for 24.1 percent of total trade with the world. Trade with the continent rose from US$9.5 billion (Shs35.7 trillion) to US$11.2 billion (Shs42.1 trillion), a growth of 17.8 percent.
Within Africa, trade with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) rose by 17.4 percent to $7.0 billion (Shs26.3 trillion), while trade with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) declined by 4.7 percent to US$4.3 billion (Shs16.2 trillion).
Intra-regional trade within the East African Community (East African Community) weakened during the quarter, falling by 10.4 percent to US$4.7 billion (Shs17.7 trillion). Its share of total EAC global trade dropped from 14.9 percent to 10.2 percent.
China remained the bloc’s dominant trading partner on both export and import sides. Exports to China rose sharply from $5.9 billion (Shs22.2 trillion) to US$8.6 billion (Shs32.3 trillion), driven mainly by minerals and raw materials, while imports from China increased to US$6.8 billion (Shs25.6 trillion).
Other key export destinations included the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, while India, Japan and the UAE remained major import sources.
Overall, the data points to a resilient regional trade performance, supported by stronger global demand, continued integration efforts, and deepening engagement with external markets.