Kenya Quarterly Balance of Payment and International Trade Report Third Quarter 2025

Abstract

The current account deficit widened markedly from KSh 43.5 billion in the third quarter of 2024 to KSh 135.3 billion in the third quarter of 2025 as presented in Table1. This increased deficit was largely driven by a wider merchandise trade deficit, valued on free onboard basis, and a decline in the Services Account surplus. The merchandise trade deficit expanded from KSh 321.1 billion in the third quarter of 2024 to KSh 355.8 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2025, reflecting a sharper increase in import expenditure relative to earnings from total exports. Imports rose by KSh 82.7 billion, compared to an increase of KSh 48.0 billion in exports. The higher import bill was mainly attributed to increased imports of industrial machinery, iron and steel, and road motor vehicles