Coal imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Kenya imported coal worth $109.9 million (1.79 million tonnes). Value fell 18% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 16% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $109.9M | 1.79M t |
| 2023 | $133.7M | 1.59M t |
| 2022 | $115.5M | 1.16M t |
| 2021 | $98.7M | 1.22M t |
| 2020 | $99.2M | 1.53M t |
| 2019 | $85.1M | 1.13M t |
| 2018 | $57.0M | 534.7K t |
| 2017 | $38.2M | 479.0K t |
Where Kenya imports coal from
South Africa alone supplied 68% of it. Among the main suppliers, Tanzania grew fastest (+37% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $74.4M | 68% |
| Tanzania | $35.6M | 32% |
| Germany | $18K | 0% |
| China | $4K | 0% |
| India | $1K | 0% |
| Turkey | $0K | 0% |
| Italy | $0K | 0% |
Product types under HS 2701
| 2701.19 | Coal (other types) | 65% |
| 2701.12 | Bituminous coal | 35% |
| 2701.11 | Anthracite coal | 0% |
| 2701.20 | Coal briquettes | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2701.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.06 per kg, 54% below the world average of $0.13, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Coal exports from Kenya
Exports of coal by Kenya reached $355 thousand in 2024 (1.8 thousand tonnes). Uganda alone took 94% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $332K | 94% |
| Ethiopia | $13K | 3.6% |
| Netherlands | $10K | 2.7% |
| Rwanda | $0K | 0% |
| Tanzania | $0K | 0% |
| China | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya coal imports (HS 2701): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2701: Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal.
Common questions
What is the value of coal imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported coal worth $109.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.79 million tonnes. That ranks it 54th of 179 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply coal to Kenya?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 68% of the value ($74.4 million), followed by Tanzania (32%) and Germany (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 7 supplier countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 38% on the year.
What is the average import price of coal per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.06 per kg in 2024, 54% below the world average of $0.13 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of coal to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $38.2 million in 2017 to $109.9 million in 2024, an increase of 188%. The peak was 2023 at $133.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $92.2 million a year.
Does Kenya also export coal?
Yes. Kenya exported $355 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Uganda, Ethiopia and the Netherlands. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $109.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for coal?
The HS code for coal is heading 2701. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 2701.19 (65% of the value) and 2701.12 (35%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Kenya. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
Coal product types in Kenya
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