Most Profitable Items To Import From China To Kenya (Latest Data)
Most profitable items to import from China to Kenya in 2025: hot-rolled steel ($538.9M), smartphones ($503.5M), women's apparel ($422.6M), synthetic fabrics ($321.6M)
Key Takeaways
- Most profitable items to import from China to Kenya in 2025 are led by flat-rolled iron/steel (HS 7208) at US$538.9 million, telephone sets and smartphones (HS 8517) at US$503.5 million, and women's apparel (HS 6204) at US$422.6 million
- Kenya's imports from China surged 16.5% YoY to US$5.18 billion in 2025, expanding the bilateral trade deficit to a record Sh654.3 billion as construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing demand drove import volumes
- A new zero-tariff deal effective May 1, 2026 grants Kenyan exports 98% duty-free access to China — a structural shift that will reshape what to import from China to Kenya as Kenyan businesses scale operations to serve the 1.4 billion Chinese consumer market
Most Profitable Items To Import From China To Kenya
The most profitable items to import from China to Kenya in 2025 are flat-rolled iron and steel products (HS 7208) at US$538.9 million (3.39%) in export value, telephone sets and smartphones (HS 8517) at US$503.5 million (3.17%), and women's apparel (HS 6204) at US$422.6 million (2.66%).
What to import from China to Kenya?
- HS 7208 — Hot-rolled flat steel products: US$538.9 million (3.39%) — Core input for Kenya's construction boom, supplying infrastructure projects, real estate development, and manufacturing facilities
- HS 8517 — Telephone sets and smartphones: US$503.5 million (3.17%) — Anchors Kenya's mobile-first digital economy, where 95%+ of internet access happens through mobile devices
- HS 6204 — Women's suits, dresses, and trousers: US$422.6 million (2.66%) — Feeds Kenya's mass retail and informal apparel market through Nairobi's Eastleigh and Gikomba trade hubs
- HS 5407 — Synthetic filament woven fabrics: US$321.6 million (2.02%) — Raw material backbone of Kenya's domestic garment industry and EPZ-based textile manufacturers
- HS 4011 — New pneumatic rubber tyres: US$303.3 million (1.91%) — Supplies Kenya's transportation network, including matatu fleets, commercial trucking, and passenger vehicle replacement demand
| Rank | 4-Digit HS Code | Value (US$) | Share % | Product Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7208 | $538.9M | 3.39% | Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products, hot-rolled and unclad |
| 2 | 8517 | $503.5M | 3.17% | Telephone sets, smartphones, and data/voice transmission equipment |
| 3 | 6204 | $422.6M | 2.66% | Women's or girls' suits, ensembles, jackets, dresses, skirts, and trousers |
| 4 | 5407 | $321.6M | 2.02% | Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn |
| 5 | 4011 | $303.3M | 1.91% | New pneumatic rubber tires |
| 6 | 3907 | $290.2M | 1.83% | Polyacetals, polyesters, polyethers, and epoxy resins in primary forms |
| 7 | 4202 | $284.4M | 1.79% | Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, handbags, and similar containers |
| 8 | 6402 | $272.1M | 1.71% | Footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics |
| 9 | 8708 | $264.5M | 1.66% | Parts and accessories for motor vehicles |
| 10 | 9403 | $263.2M | 1.66% | Other furniture and parts thereof |
Data Source: ytrade.com Period: January-December 2025
Top 1 Imports From China to Kenya: Flat-Rolled Steel (HS 7208) — US$538.9 Million
Flat-rolled iron and non-alloy steel products lead the most profitable items to import from China to Kenya at US$538.9 million in 2025. China dominates Kenya's steel import market because Kenya has no fully integrated primary steel production facility — domestic mills rely on imported billets, hot-rolled coils, and finished steel for downstream processing.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics 2026 Economic Survey, increased imports of crushing and grinding machines, chemical fertiliser, containers for compressed or liquefied gas, and iron and steel from China drove the 16.5% surge in 2025 import volumes. KNBS confirmed China accounted for 24.2% of Kenya's total imports of Sh2.77 trillion in 2025 — cementing its position as Kenya's largest source of goods.
Key dynamics in China-Kenya steel trade:
- Construction boom — Kenya's real estate, road infrastructure, and Standard Gauge Railway extension projects require sustained steel imports, with Chinese supply offering price competitiveness over alternatives from India and Turkey
- No domestic substitute — Kenya's steel sector operates downstream rolling mills but lacks blast furnace capacity, structurally tying it to imported feedstock from Chinese suppliers
- Government infrastructure pipeline — The Sh464 billion Nairobi-Mombasa expressway, scheduled to begin construction in 2026, will further increase steel import demand from Chinese producers
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Top 2 Imports From China to Kenya: Telephone Sets and Smartphones (HS 8517) — US$503.5 Million
Electronics under HS 8517 are the second-most profitable items to import from China to Kenya at US$503.5 million in 2025. Kenya's mobile-first digital economy — where over 65 million mobile subscriptions serve a population of 56 million — drives consistent smartphone demand at every price tier.
China supplies the majority of Kenya's smartphones through both branded OEM exports (Tecno, Infinix, Itel, Xiaomi) and unbranded white-label devices that dominate the under-US$100 entry segment. Transsion Holdings, the Shenzhen-based parent of Tecno and Infinix, holds an estimated 40%+ market share in Kenya's smartphone segment.
Key dynamics in China-Kenya electronics trade:
- Transsion dominance — Chinese brands engineered specifically for African markets (longer battery life, dual SIM, low-light camera optimization) outperform global brands in Kenya's price-sensitive consumer base
- M-Pesa ecosystem dependency — Mobile money platform M-Pesa requires functional smartphone access, sustaining replacement demand even during macroeconomic downturns
- Re-export to East Africa — Smartphones entering Kenya through Mombasa Port are re-distributed across the East African Community to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan
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Top 3 Imports From China to Kenya: Women's Apparel (HS 6204) — US$422.6 Million
Women's suits, dresses, jackets, and skirts (HS 6204) rank third in the most profitable items to import from China to Kenya at US$422.6 million in 2025. Chinese apparel exports serve both Kenya's formal retail market and the country's vast informal trade network, including Eastleigh's wholesale district and Gikomba's open-air markets.
Kenya's apparel import demand is structurally tied to consumer purchasing power, urbanization, and the limited scale of domestic garment manufacturing. While Kenya's Export Processing Zones produce apparel for export to the US under AGOA, these facilities focus on outward-bound trade — not domestic supply — leaving the local market dependent on imports.
Key dynamics in China-Kenya apparel trade:
- Mass retail channel — Chinese apparel reaches Kenyan consumers through chain stores (Naivas, Quickmart), boutique retailers, and import-export traders operating between Guangzhou and Nairobi
- Eastleigh re-export hub — Nairobi's Eastleigh district functions as East Africa's largest wholesale apparel market, with Chinese imports redistributed to Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and DRC
- Informal sector volume — A substantial share of Chinese apparel imports moves through informal channels that complement formal customs data, with actual trade volumes likely exceeding official figures
Top 4 Imports From China to Kenya: Synthetic Filament Fabrics (HS 5407) — US$321.6 Million
Synthetic filament woven fabrics (HS 5407) rank fourth at US$321.6 million in 2025. These fabrics supply Kenya's domestic garment industry, including Export Processing Zone (EPZ) manufacturers producing apparel for the US market under AGOA preferences, as well as local manufacturers serving the Kenyan retail market.
Kenya's textile and apparel sector employs over 50,000 workers across EPZ facilities and domestic mills, but the industry depends on imported synthetic fabrics because local cotton production cannot meet quality or volume requirements for export-grade garment manufacturing.
Key dynamics in China-Kenya textile trade:
- AGOA-driven imports — Kenya's apparel exports to the US under AGOA reached US$603 million in 2024, requiring continuous fabric imports from China to maintain production
- Yarn-to-garment integration — Chinese synthetic fabric suppliers offer bundled yarn-to-garment supply chains, simplifying procurement for Kenyan EPZ manufacturers
- Vertical specialization — Kenya's role in the global apparel value chain is sewing and assembly, with fabric production handled by Chinese mills that have decades of synthetic textile expertise
Top 5 Imports From China to Kenya: New Pneumatic Rubber Tyres (HS 4011) — US$303.3 Million
New pneumatic rubber tyres (HS 4011) round out the top five most profitable items to import from China to Kenya at US$303.3 million in 2025. Tyre imports serve Kenya's transportation backbone — commercial trucking, matatu (minibus) fleets, passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and agricultural equipment.
Chinese tyre manufacturers including Linglong, Triangle, and Doublestar dominate the price-competitive segment, while Japanese (Bridgestone, Yokohama) and European brands hold premium positioning. Kenya's vehicle population — approximately 4.5 million registered vehicles in 2025, with motorcycle (boda boda) registrations growing 15% annually — sustains structural tyre replacement demand.
Key dynamics in China-Kenya tyre trade:
- Boda boda economy — Kenya's motorcycle taxi sector consumes over 8 million tyres annually, with Chinese suppliers commanding the entry-level price point that fits boda boda operator economics
- Used vehicle dependence — Kenya's imported used car market (largely from Japan) requires aftermarket tyre replacement, creating consistent demand for Chinese-manufactured replacements
- Commercial transport — Long-haul trucking across the Northern Corridor (Mombasa-Nairobi-Kampala-Kigali) generates heavy-duty tyre demand serviced by Chinese radial truck tyre imports
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Kenya Import From China: Top Buyers & Suppliers
Kenya's top buyers from China are concentrated in transportation, energy, and telecommunications sectors. M-Kopa Kenya Limited leads at 19.77% value share, followed by Transafrica Motors Limited at 19.57% and Sinotruk Kenya Limited at 16.71%.
- M-Kopa Kenya (19.77%): Pay-as-you-go solar and digital fintech leader, importing solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and smartphones from China to power its 5 million+ customer base across East Africa
- Transafrica Motors (19.57%): East Africa's leading commercial vehicle distributor, importing trucks, buses, and specialized vehicles from Chinese OEMs including Sinotruk and FAW
- Sinotruk Kenya (16.71%): Local distribution arm of Sinotruk International, dominating Kenya's heavy commercial truck segment with HOWO and ZZ-series models
- Africa Smart Mobility Solutions (8.50%): E-mobility company importing Chinese electric vehicles and charging infrastructure as Kenya electrifies public transport
- Fullcare Kenya Medical Technology EPZ (8.17%): Manufacturer of medical protective apparel sourcing raw materials and machinery from Chinese partners
| Rank | Buyer | Share % | Company Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M-KOPA KENYA LIMITED | 19.77% | Pay-as-you-go solar energy and digital fintech platform |
| 2 | TRANSAFRICA MOTORS LIMITED | 19.57% | Distributor of commercial vehicles and trucks in East Africa |
| 3 | SINOTRUK KENYA LIMITED | 16.71% | Importer and distributor of heavy-duty commercial trucks |
| 4 | AFRICA SMART MOBILITY SOLUTIONS KENYA LIMITED | 8.50% | E-mobility company providing electric vehicle solutions |
| 5 | FULLCARE KENYA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY EPZ LIMITED | 8.17% | Manufacturer of medical protective apparel and healthcare supplies |
| 6 | KENYA POWER & LIGHTING COMPANY LTD | 8.07% | National electricity transmission and distribution utility |
| 7 | HONDA MOTORCYCLE KENYA LIMITED | 5.44% | Assembler and distributor of Honda motorcycles |
| 8 | ORPOWER TWENTY TWO LIMITED | 5.12% | Geothermal power generation development company |
| 9 | AXEL MOTORS CENTRE LIMITED | 4.48% | Automobile dealership, service center, and parts retailer |
| 10 | BHACHU INDUSTRIES LIMITED | 4.17% | Manufacturer of commercial trailers, tankers, and vehicle bodies |
Data Source: ytrade.com Period: January-December 2025
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On the other hand, Chinese exporters to Kenya are dominated by automotive and telecom manufacturers. Sinotruk International leads at 22.08% in share of supplying, followed closely by FAW Africa Investment at 21.94% and HMD Solutions OY at 14.87%.
- Sinotruk International (22.08%): China's largest heavy truck manufacturer, supplying Kenya's commercial freight, mining, and construction sectors through its Kenyan distribution subsidiary
- FAW Africa Investment (21.94%): Automotive manufacturer specializing in truck assembly, with growing Kenyan operations including local assembly plants
- HMD Solutions OY (14.87%): Finnish-incorporated telecom equipment and Nokia phone licensing operation, manufacturing in China for export to African markets including Kenya
- Shaoxing Zhende Medical (11.07%): Surgical dressing and medical consumables manufacturer supplying Kenya's healthcare sector and Fullcare Kenya's medical EPZ
- Zhejiang Kaishan Energy Equipment (6.53%): Industrial compressor and geothermal energy machinery producer servicing Kenya's geothermal power generation expansion
| Rank | Supplier | Share % | Company Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SINOTRUK INTERNATIONAL | 22.08% | Major Chinese manufacturer and exporter of heavy trucks |
| 2 | FAW AFRICA INVESTMENT CO., LTD | 21.94% | Automotive manufacturer specializing in truck assembly and distribution |
| 3 | HMD SOLUTIONS OY | 14.87% | Telecom equipment and licensing arm of HMD Global |
| 4 | SHAOXING ZHENDE MEDICAL CO., LTD | 11.07% | Manufacturer of surgical dressings and medical consumables |
| 5 | ZHEJIANG KAISHAN ENERGY EQUIPMENT CO., LTD | 6.53% | Industrial manufacturer of compressors and geothermal energy machinery |
| 6 | GUANGDONG OXWIN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD | 6.53% | Manufacturer of electric motorcycles, parts, and tires |
| 7 | A J TRONICS F Z CO | 4.58% | Free-zone electronics and mobile device trader |
| 8 | HUAWEI INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED | 4.44% | Global telecommunications equipment and smart device provider |
| 9 | ZHONG-LONG INTERNATIONAL TRADE GUANGDONG CO., LTD | 3.98% | International supply chain, trading, and logistics operator |
| 10 | HMD GLOBAL OY | 3.98% | Mobile phone manufacturer behind Nokia-branded devices |
Data Source: ytrade.com Period: January-December 2025
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Conclusion
The most profitable items to import from China to Kenya in 2025 are led by hot-rolled flat steel (HS 7208) at US$538.9 million, telephone sets and smartphones (HS 8517) at US$503.5 million, and women's apparel (HS 6204) at US$422.6 million.
Kenya's total imports from China reached US$5.18 billion in 2025, expanding the bilateral trade deficit to a record Sh654.3 billion as construction, electronics, apparel, and automotive demand drove import volumes.
Explore China-Kenya trade flows across every HS code, supplier, and buyer on yTrade trade data platform.
yTrade contributor
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