Kenya’s trade deficit with China surged to Kes 475.6 bn in the first nine months of 2025, a 16.7% increase from the Kes 407.7 bn recorded in the same period in 2024, driven by rising imports and declining exports. Imports from China jumped 14.5% to Kes 489 bn, reflecting sustained demand for Chinese products, while exports fell 30.8% to Kes 13.4 bn, highlighting persistent weaknesses in Kenya’s export performance.
China remains a key supplier of goods critical to Kenya’s construction, transport, energy, and manufacturing sectors, while Kenya’s exports are narrow, largely consisting of a few commodities and semi-processed products. Reduced shipments of minerals, including titanium from the closed Kwale mines, have further constrained earnings.
The trade imbalance was a focus during President William Ruto’s state visit to China in April 2025, where Kenya secured agreements to remove tariffs on key agricultural exports such as tea, coffee, and avocado. This aligns with Kenya’s Integrated National Export Development and Promotion Strategy, which seeks to diversify markets beyond traditional Western destinations and strengthen trade ties in Asia.
