Kenya is a net exporter to Tanzania and the other EAC Partner States. According to Tanzania’s Government’s Economic Survey 2013, Kenya total export to Tanzania in 2013 accounted for about US$ 303.6 million, with a positive net balance of US$ 227.1 million. The road connecting Arusha to the capital Nairobi is one of the main axis along which cross border trading activities are performed.

Tanzania’s total exports to the entire EAC region increased from US$ 315.6 million in 2008 to US$ 419.3 million in 2013. Imports from other EAC members to Tanzania have also increased over time, from US$ 204.8 million to US$ 359.1 million over the same period. The EAC region is therefore a net importer to Tanzania. Major exports to Tanzania comprise of iron and steel, animal and vegetable fats, plastics, mineral fuels and aluminum. Major imports from Tanzania include paper and paperboard, textiles and worn clothing, cereals, wood, cotton and vegetables. However, this increase in total trade is also attributed to improvement in data collection following automation of major entry points bordering with other EAC Partner States, including the Namanga entry point.

The main imported goods from Kenya include petroleum products, aluminum, motor vehicles, iron and steel. Tanzania’s exports to Kenya textile articles, worn clothing, tea, coffee, mate and spices [6] .