East African Community Posts $300 Million Trade Surplus in Q2

email facebook linkedin twitter Whatsapp The East African Community posted a $300 million trade surplus in the second quarter of 2026, reversing a $945.3 million deficit recorded a year earlier.

Total trade jumped 37% year on year to $52.3 billion, as exports climbed 41.3% to $26.3 billion and imports rose 32.9% to $26 billion.

EAC exports to China almost doubled to $10.7 billion from $5.7 billion, while exports to other African countries increased 44.3% to $7.2 billion.

The East African Community recorded a $300 million trade surplus in the second quarter of 2026, compared with a $945.3 million deficit a year earlier, according to the bloc's quarterly statistical bulletin published on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

A sharp increase in exports primarily drove the turnaround. EAC exports rose 41.3% year on year to $26.3 billion, while imports increased 32.9% to $26 billion.