Lead-acid traction batteries imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $13.3 million of lead-acid traction batteries in 2024 (5.9 thousand tonnes). That is 8% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 5% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $24.6 million.
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 | $13.3M | 5.9K t |
| 2023 | $14.4M | 5.7K t |
| 2022 | $15.6M | 4.5K t |
| 2021 | $11.6M | 3.2K t |
| 2020 | $15.1M | 4.2K t |
| 2019 | $15.3M | 3.6K t |
| 2018 | $24.6M | 6.4K t |
| 2017 | $19.2M | 4.7K t |
Where Kenya imports lead-acid traction batteries from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 58% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.8M | 58% |
| India | $2.9M | 22% |
| Vietnam | $1.0M | 7.8% |
| France | $360K | 2.7% |
| United States | $165K | 1.2% |
| Germany | $151K | 1.1% |
| Hong Kong | $150K | 1.1% |
| Italy | $131K | 1% |
| United Kingdom | $126K | 1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $107K | 0.8% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.25 per kg, 42% below the world average of $3.90, 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.
Lead-acid traction batteries exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported lead-acid traction batteries worth $9.0 million (4.1 thousand tonnes). Uganda alone took 52% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Uganda grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $4.7M | 53% |
| Tanzania | $3.8M | 43% |
| Zambia | $216K | 2.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $64K | 0.7% |
| Malawi | $59K | 0.7% |
| South Sudan | $36K | 0.4% |
| DR Congo | $26K | 0.3% |
| Rwanda | $17K | 0.2% |
| Ethiopia | $10K | 0.1% |
| Central African Republic | $8K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya lead-acid traction batteries imports (HS 8507.20): 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 8507.20: Electric accumulators: lead-acid, (other than for starting piston engines), including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square).
Common questions
What is the value of lead-acid traction batteries imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported lead-acid traction batteries worth $13.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 75th of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply lead-acid traction batteries to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 58% of the value ($7.8 million), followed by India (22%) and Vietnam (8%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 34 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 220% on the year.
What is the average import price of lead-acid traction batteries per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.25 per kg in 2024, 42% below the world average of $3.90 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of lead-acid traction batteries to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $19.2 million in 2017 to $13.3 million in 2024, a fall of 31%. The peak was 2018 at $24.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $16.1 million a year.
Does Kenya also export lead-acid traction batteries?
Yes. Kenya exported $9.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $4.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for lead-acid traction batteries?
The HS code for lead-acid traction batteries is subheading 8507.20. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8507 page.
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
World lead-acid traction batteries trade: top importers and exporters
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