The East African Community (EAC) has recorded a historic shift in its economic landscape, as an unprecedented surge in exports has nearly wiped out the region’s long-standing trade deficit. According to the latest quarterly statistics report released by the EAC Secretariat for the final quarter of 2025, the bloc’s international merchandise trade soared to $82.4 billion, driven by a massive expansion in outbound shipments.
The report reveals that during the October-December 2025 period, exports from the region surged by an astonishing 37.7%, reaching a total of $77.0 billion. This rapid growth significantly outpaced the 15.4% rise in imports, which stood at $79.6 billion. The result is a dramatic narrowing of the regional trade deficit to just $1.5 billion—a staggering recovery compared to the $13.0 billion deficit recorded at the end of 2024.
The “export boom” was powered primarily by the region’s extractives and agricultural sectors. Mineral commodities emerged as the leading export category, with copper taking center stage alongside precious metals and gemstones.
These high-value commodities benefited from strong global demand and improved mining infrastructure across Partner States. Simultaneously, the region’s agricultural backbone remained resilient.
Earnings from coffee, tea, and spices continued to play a pivotal role, not only in supporting the EAC’s external trade position but also in securing the livelihoods of millions of rural households.
While global trade flourished, the report highlighted a significant deepening of regional integration. Intra-EAC trade expanded to $19.3 billion, a testament to the bloc’s efforts in reducing non-tariff barriers and harmonizing customs procedures.
Furthermore, trade within the wider African continent recorded a remarkable 40.1% growth, reaching $39.0 billion. This accounts for more than a quarter of the region’s total trade, suggesting that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework is beginning to yield tangible results for East African businesses.
The trade success comes at a time when the region is finally seeing relief from the cost-of-living crisis. Annual headline inflation, which sat at a painful 27.1% in December 2024, has cooled significantly, dropping to 15.3% by December 2025. While core inflation—which excludes volatile food and energy prices—fell to 11.1%, some challenges remain. Persistently high price levels in South Sudan and Burundi have kept the regional annual average at 12.9%, though the overall trajectory remains positive.
Despite the celebratory figures, regional experts warn against complacency. Fedirdaus Mosha, a resident and trade observer in Arusha, emphasized that sustaining this momentum requires immediate physical and financial upgrades. “We need to expand financial inclusion and align our financial systems with the economic realities of individual countries,” Mosha stated. “Unlocking further growth depends on reducing cross-border barriers and investing heavily in trade infrastructure to ease operations for our local entrepreneurs.”
