This archive report was first published on 22 August 2020.
Published on August 22, 2020, a report by the East African Business Council (EABC) revealed that trade between East African Community (EAC) countries and the DRC is declining, with the exception of exports from Rwanda and Uganda.
The report showed that Kenya registered an 11 per cent decline in the value of goods to DRC last year, with a sustained declining trend since 2014. In 2014, exports peaked at $239.38 million (Sh25.85 billion) before dropping to $132 million (Sh14 billion) in 2018.
Despite the DRC's vast market, with a population of approximately 81 million people, regional partners have been edged out by other countries. China and South Africa account for 47 per cent of DRC's imports, which could easily be found in the EAC.
However, the admission of DRC into the regional bloc could increase trade with the country, as the EAC can ably supply goods. EABC Chief Executive Peter Mathuki said, 'DRC will benefit from the larger EAC Common Market and Common External Tariff framework. It will also have access to sea ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam at competitive rates.'
