Uganda-DRC Trade Surpasses $1 Billion Despite Eastern Congo Insecurity
Uganda’s total trade with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) exceeded $1 billion (approximately Shs 3.9 trillion) in the 2024/25 financial year, reaffirming Kinshasa as Kampala’s most strategic regional export market, even amid ongoing insecurity in eastern Congo.
Data from Uganda’s Ministry of Finance shows exports to the DRC reached $964.5 million (about Shs 3.76 trillion), while imports stood at $42.7 million (roughly Shs 166 billion), bringing total bilateral trade to $1.01 billion (Shs 3.93 trillion). The trade balance yielded a surplus of $921.8 million (around Shs 3.59 trillion) in Uganda’s favour — the largest surplus among East African Community (EAC) member states.
The milestone comes despite persistent clashes in eastern provinces such as North Kivu and Ituri, which continue to disrupt transport corridors, affect border crossings, and raise logistics and insurance costs for traders.
“Reaching Shs 3.9 trillion in total trade despite conflict suggests there is significant headroom for growth if peace holds,” said Moses Asinguza, a Kampala-based trade economist. “Demand in eastern Congo’s urban centres remains structurally strong.”
Eastern Congo serves as a natural export hinterland for Uganda’s manufacturing and agro-processing sectors. Key exports include cement, iron and steel products, sugar, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and fast-moving consumer goods. Geographic proximity and established road links through western Uganda provide exporters with a competitive edge.
However, periodic clashes between armed groups and Congolese forces have at times slowed cargo movements, increased informal charges along trade routes, and discouraged large-scale private investment in storage and distribution infrastructure.
The robust trade with the DRC contrasts sharply with Uganda’s overall EAC trade picture. Total exports to the EAC stood at $2.84 billion (about Shs 11.1 trillion), while imports reached $3.52 billion (Shs 13.7 trillion), resulting in a regional trade deficit of $681.06 million (roughly Shs 2.65 trillion). Uganda recorded significant deficits with Tanzania ($1.99 billion) and Kenya ($496.6 million), driven largely by fuel, industrial inputs, and manufactured imports.
Economists note that without the DRC surplus of Shs 3.6 trillion — along with additional surpluses from South Sudan and Rwanda — Uganda’s regional trade deficit would have been substantially larger.
Ugandan officials have long identified the DRC’s population of over 90 million as one of the country’s most promising export markets, both under the EAC framework and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
