Tanzania Overtakes Kenya as Uganda’s Leading Import Source
Kampala, Uganda
Dar es Salaam/Kampala
Tanzania has quietly pulled off a major shift in Uganda’s regional trade landscape. In just a few years, Dar es Salaam has transformed from a secondary supplier into Uganda’s top import source in East Africa, overtaking Kenya — a position Kenya held for decades. Data from the Bank of Uganda reveal a dramatic increase in Tanzanian exports into Uganda that has steadily eroded Kenya’s once-dominant trade position.
Historically, Uganda’s import patterns within East Africa revolved around Kenya. The Mombasa–Nairobi–Kampala route via the Northern Corridor provided easy access to manufactured goods, processed foodstuffs, and consumer household items. But that narrative has shifted rapidly. In the year ending June 2024, nearly half of Uganda’s African imports came from Tanzania, reflecting a major realignment in regional supply chains.
Officials at the Uganda Revenue Authority attribute this change to a surge in strategic imports such as fuel and refined petroleum products, construction materials including rolled iron and cement, bulk staples like grains and sugar, and even precious-commodity inflows such as gold. Many of these high-value items flow through the Central Corridor and Dar es Salaam port, giving Tanzania a growing edge in value-heavy trade.
Why it Matters
This shift signals a fundamental change in Uganda’s supply chain dynamics. Dependence on Tanzanian ports and transport corridors exposes Uganda to new logistical and policy risks. Delays at Dar es Salaam or disruptions along the Central Corridor could ripple across domestic markets, affecting prices of fuel, construction materials, food staples, and even precious commodities. For policymakers, this realignment necessitates a re-evaluation of trade agreements, infrastructure investments, and import diversification strategies.
What to Watch
Observers should monitor port efficiency and any policy changes in Tanzania that could impact cargo flows. Uganda’s government announcements regarding tariffs, transit regulations, and corridor security will also be critical. Private-sector adjustments by major importers in response to pricing or logistical shifts may signal how the trade landscape continues to evolve.
