Rwanda’s imports from Kenya have plummeted by over 80 percent in the past year, signaling one of the most significant changes in the country’s regional trade patterns, Kigali, December 2025
The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) reported in its Formal External Trade in Goods – October 2025 report that imports from Kenya fell from US$117.9 million in October 2024 to just US$23.33 million in October 2025 — a drop of US$94.57 million.
As a result, Kenya’s share of Rwanda’s imports has shrunk to only 4.85 percent, pushing it down to seventh place among Rwanda’s main trading partners. This 80.22 percent decrease marks one of the steepest annual declines recorded for any of Rwanda’s key import sources, highlighting a clear move away from the Northern Corridor, which has traditionally brought goods from the port of Mombasa.
By contrast, Tanzania remains Rwanda’s leading regional supplier, even though it also saw a year-on-year drop. In October 2024, Rwanda imported US$54.69 million worth of goods from Tanzania, which fell to US$44.38 million in October 2025 — a reduction of US$10.31 million or 18.85 percent. Despite this decline, Tanzania still supplied nearly twice the value of goods compared to Kenya.
Tanzania’s continued dominance reflects its strategic position along the Central Corridor and the growing use of the port of Dar es Salaam for importing fuel, machinery, construction materials, and bulk commodities. Upgrades in port infrastructure and efficiency have further strengthened Tanzania’s role as Rwanda’s third-largest import partner.
The widening gap between Kenya and Tanzania points to a broader transformation in Rwanda’s sourcing patterns. Overall imports into Rwanda fell by 2.08 percent in October 2025 compared to September, but the sources of these imports shifted markedly. China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Tanzania now dominate, while Kenya’s share has dropped to a small fraction of its previous level. This trend suggests Rwandan businesses are increasingly looking beyond traditional East African routes, seeking more cost-effective, reliable, and diversified supply options.
In a surprising development, Cameroon has suddenly emerged as a major supplier, entering Rwanda’s top ten import partners for the first time in recent memory. Rwanda imported US$27.36 million worth of goods from Cameroon in October 2025, despite having recorded no imports from the country in October 2024. This surge places Cameroon in fifth place, surpassing long-established regional partners like Kenya and Uganda, likely due to a new or recently established trade route, possibly through the Port of Douala.
Unless conditions along the Northern Corridor improve or Kenyan exporters adjust their strategies, Kenya’s decline in Rwanda’s import market could continue. The October 2025 report clearly shows that Rwanda’s regional trade landscape is changing, with Tanzania, despite its own slight decline, now firmly ahead of Kenya as Rwanda’s preferred regional supplier.
Source: kt press
