Mobile phones imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $58.4 million of mobile phones in 2024 (692 tonnes). That is 23% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $366.5 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 | $58.4M | 692 t |
| 2023 | $75.7M | 825 t |
| 2022 | $68.5M | 596 t |
| 2021 | $175.5M | 380 t |
| 2020 | $130.9M | 2.0K t |
| 2019 | $366.1M | 660 t |
| 2018 | $366.5M | 1.7K t |
| 2017 | $76.3M | 102 t |
Where Kenya imports mobile phones from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 94% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $55.0M | 94% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1.2M | 2% |
| Hong Kong | $721K | 1.2% |
| South Korea | $376K | 0.6% |
| United States | $167K | 0.3% |
| South Africa | $144K | 0.3% |
| India | $125K | 0.2% |
| United Kingdom | $100K | 0.2% |
| Tanzania | $91K | 0.2% |
| France | $53K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $84.44 per kg, 74% below the world average of $321.06, 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.
Mobile phones exports from Kenya
Exports of mobile phones by Kenya reached $826 thousand in 2024 (4 tonnes). Most of it went to Uganda (25%), Ghana (16%), Somalia (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest (+596% on the year before).
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya mobile phones imports (HS 8517.12): 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 8517.12: Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks.
Common questions
What is the value of mobile phones imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported mobile phones worth $58.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 692 tonnes. That ranks it 113th of 220 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 23% on 2023.
Which countries supply mobile phones to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 94% of the value ($55.0 million), followed by the United Arab Emirates (2%) and Hong Kong (1%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 82 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 164% on the year.
What is the average import price of mobile phones per kg?
The average declared import value was about $84.44 per kg in 2024, 74% below the world average of $321.06 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of mobile phones to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $76.3 million in 2017 to $58.4 million in 2024, a fall of 23%. The peak was 2018 at $366.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $164.7 million a year.
Does Kenya also export mobile phones?
Yes. Kenya exported $826 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Uganda, Ghana and Somalia. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $57.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for mobile phones?
The HS code for mobile phones is subheading 8517.12. 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 8517 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Kenya reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
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