NAIROBI, Nov. 4 -- Kenya's exports to other African countries, boosted by increased shipment and strengthened bilateral relations, rose 26 percent in the first seven months of 2024, according to an economic report from the Central Bank released Monday.

The apex bank said that the exports rose to 248.7 billion shillings (about 1.93 billion U.S. dollars) during the period, a rise from 1.53 billion dollars during a similar period in 2023.

According to the bank, most of the exports from Kenya were sold in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and South Africa which registered strong demand.

The East African nation's main exports are oil and lubricants (reexports), tea, coffee, oil, animals, vegetable fats, clinker, wheat flour and manufactured goods.

According to the bank, Kenya shipped goods worth 599.2 million dollars to Uganda, 287.8 million dollars to Tanzania, 185.4 million dollars to Rwanda, and 139.7 million dollars to DR Congo.

Kenya has strengthened bilateral ties with many African countries, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Rwanda and Egypt as the country champions for the elimination of trade barriers between African countries.

The East African nation also introduced a visa-free policy in January 2024 as it sought to capitalize on the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Kenya's exports to the continent rose 21.4 percent in 2023 to stand at 3.05 billion dollars.

  - Xinhua