The East African Community recorded international merchandise trade worth 38.2 billion dollars during the second quarter of 2025, representing a 28.4 percent increase from the corresponding period in 2024. Export values climbed 40.5 percent to reach 18.6 billion dollars while imports expanded more moderately at 18.8 percent to total 19.6 billion dollars, reducing the regional trade deficit from 3.2 billion dollars to 900 million dollars.
Commerce within the bloc grew 24.5 percent to 4.6 billion dollars, and transactions with other African nations surged 42.9 percent to 9.3 billion dollars. China, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Hong Kong and Singapore collectively purchased 62.8 percent of regional exports, with copper, precious stones and metals, coffee and tea, mineral fuels and ores comprising 79.6 percent of outbound shipments.
The regional annual headline inflation rate measured 22.7 percent in June 2025, down from 24 percent in May but substantially higher than the 13.7 percent recorded in June 2024. Money supply expanded 19.1 percent year over year, driven primarily by a 19.2 percent rise in private sector credit.
Commerce within the bloc grew 24.5 percent to 4.6 billion dollars, and transactions with other African nations surged 42.9 percent to 9.3 billion dollars. China, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Hong Kong and Singapore collectively purchased 62.8 percent of regional exports, with copper, precious stones and metals, coffee and tea, mineral fuels and ores comprising 79.6 percent of outbound shipments.
The regional annual headline inflation rate measured 22.7 percent in June 2025, down from 24 percent in May but substantially higher than the 13.7 percent recorded in June 2024. Money supply expanded 19.1 percent year over year, driven primarily by a 19.2 percent rise in private sector credit.
