Trade across the East African Community (EAC) expanded sharply in the second quarter of 2026, with total regional trade reaching $52.3 billion as exports increased by 41.3% and shipments to African and international markets strengthened.
According to the EAC Quarterly Statistics Bulletin for April to June 2026, total trade increased by 37% from $38.2 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.
Exports reached $26.3 billion, while imports increased by 32.9% to $26 billion. The stronger export performance resulted in a trade surplus of $300 million, reversing a deficit of approximately $945.3 million recorded a year earlier.
African markets were an important contributor to the increase. EAC exports to other African countries rose by 44.3% to $7.2 billion, accounting for 27.5% of total regional exports.
Exports to the Southern African Development Community increased by 50.8% to $5.1 billion, while shipments to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa rose by 48.3% to $3.1 billion.
Intra-EAC exports also recorded strong growth, increasing by 33.2% to $3.2 billion. However, their share of total EAC exports declined slightly from 12.8% in the second quarter of 2025 to 12.1% in 2026, as exports to markets outside the Community expanded more rapidly.
China remained the EAC’s largest individual export destination and source of imports. Exports to China almost doubled from $5.7 billion to $10.7 billion, driven largely by mineral commodities and other raw materials.
Imports from China also increased, rising from $4.7 billion to $7.1 billion during the quarter.
Minerals continued to dominate the region’s export earnings. Copper and precious metals accounted for 61.9% of total EAC exports, up from 58.7% a year earlier.
Agricultural commodities, including coffee, tea and spices, remained important contributors to export earnings, while petroleum products represented the largest import category alongside machinery, transport equipment and other industrial supplies.
The trade figures highlight the continued importance of mineral commodities to East Africa’s external trade while also showing expanding commercial links between the EAC and other African regional markets.
The stronger trade performance was accompanied by a decline in regional inflation. Annual headline inflation, measured using the EAC Harmonised Consumer Price Index, fell from 11.1% in April to 10.7% in May and 7.8% in June 2026.
The June figure was substantially below the 22.7% recorded in June 2025. Food inflation stood at 10.1% in June, compared with 37.5% a year earlier, while Energy, Fuel and Utilities inflation declined to 11.1% from 14.2% in May.
Credit activity also expanded during the quarter. Lending to wholesale and retail trade increased by 29.1% year on year, followed by agriculture at 25.6% and construction at 22.9%.
Broad money supply increased by 15.3% year on year to $107.7 billion, while credit to the private sector rose by 15% to $75.9 billion.
The latest figures point to stronger commercial activity across the EAC, supported by rising exports, increased intra-African trade and expanding private-sector credit.
For the region, the growth in exports to SADC, COMESA and other African markets also highlights the potential for deeper regional supply chains and greater integration of East African businesses into continental trade.