Kenya’s exports to African countries surge amid push for continental integration

By Xinhua

   NAIROBI, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's exports to other African countries hit a record high of 167 billion shillings (about 1.18 billion U.S. dollars) in the first five months of 2023, compared with 960 million dollars in the same period of 2022, according to new economic data released by the Central Bank Monday.
   The bank attributed the export increase to the government's efforts to enhance bilateral ties and trade among nations in the continent.
   During the January-May period this year, Kenya exported goods worth 367 million dollars to Uganda, 169 million dollars to Tanzania, and 120 million dollars to Rwanda, according to the bank.
   Kenya also shipped goods worth 78 million dollars to Egypt, and 64 million dollars to Somalia during the period, it said.
   In the last month, Kenyan President William Ruto has held talks with leaders from other African countries to strengthen bilateral ties, including the Comoros, Djibouti, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central Africa Republic, Egypt, Eritrea and Tanzania.
   During a meeting in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, in May, Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for Africans traveling to Kenya for business as a step to boost intra-Africa trade.
   In 2022, Kenya's exports to African nations stood at 2.6 billion dollars, up from 2.2 billion dollars in 2021, according to the bank.
   Kenya mainly exports coffee, fuel, tea, animals, cooking oil, and manufactured goods to other African countries.  Enditem