Kenya’s Trade Deficit With Russia Narrows to Sh26.6 Billion as Imports Plunge
Kenya’s trade deficit with Russia narrowed by Sh26.6 billion in 2025, following a sharp decline in imports and an increase in exports, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The country’s imports from Russia fell to Sh33.33 billion in 2025, down from Sh79.09 billion in 2024, representing a reduction of Sh45.76 billion.
Over the same period, Kenya’s exports to Russia increased slightly to Sh6.73 billion from Sh6.5 billion, helping narrow the trade gap between the two countries.
The Numbers
The trade deficit stood at Sh26.6 billion in 2025, compared with Sh72.59 billion in 2024, reflecting a significant reduction in the value of goods Kenya purchased from Russia relative to its exports.
The latest figures mark a reversal of the trend recorded in 2023 and 2024, when imports surged while exports remained comparatively low.
Five-Year Trend
2021: Imports Sh37.66 billion, exports Sh10.47 billion — deficit Sh27.19 billion
2022: Imports Sh36.84 billion, exports Sh7.64 billion — deficit Sh29.2 billion
2023: Imports Sh82.74 billion, exports Sh4.77 billion — deficit Sh77.97 billion
2024: Imports Sh79.09 billion, exports Sh6.5 billion — deficit Sh72.59 billion
2025: Imports Sh33.33 billion, exports Sh6.73 billion — deficit Sh26.6 billion
In 2023, Kenya imported goods worth Sh82.74 billion from Russia, the highest value recorded in the five-year period, while exports stood at Sh4.77 billion.
Imports declined marginally to Sh79.09 billion in 2024, but exports rose to Sh6.5 billion, leaving Kenya with a trade deficit of Sh72.59 billion.
In 2022, imports amounted to Sh36.84 billion against exports of Sh7.64 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of Sh29.2 billion.
The trade gap was wider in 2021, when Kenya imported goods worth Sh37.66 billion and exported goods valued at Sh10.47 billion, leaving a deficit of Sh27.19 billion.
Persistent Imbalance
The figures show that Kenya has consistently imported more from Russia than it has exported over the five years, with the size of the trade deficit fluctuating considerably.
Although the 2025 deficit narrowed substantially, exports remained far below imports, highlighting the persistent imbalance in trade between the two countries.
What This Means
The sharp drop in imports from Russia in 2025 could reflect changing trade patterns, reduced demand for Russian goods, or shifts in global supply chains. However, the underlying imbalance remains, with Kenya exporting far less to Russia than it imports.