Semiconductors imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $46.2 million of semiconductors in 2024 (17.9 thousand tonnes). That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2020, at $60.1 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 | $46.2M | 17.9K t |
| 2023 | $45.6M | 12.6K t |
| 2022 | $39.3M | 7.4K t |
| 2021 | $54.5M | 14.2K t |
| 2020 | $60.1M | 14.5K t |
| 2019 | $35.5M | 3.2K t |
| 2018 | $38.1M | 7.9K t |
| 2017 | $50.1M | 7.5K t |
Where Kenya imports semiconductors from
China alone supplied 93% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $43.1M | 93% |
| India | $615K | 1.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $613K | 1.3% |
| Namibia | $341K | 0.7% |
| Germany | $189K | 0.4% |
| South Africa | $149K | 0.3% |
| Greece | $147K | 0.3% |
| Denmark | $112K | 0.2% |
| France | $109K | 0.2% |
| Spain | $106K | 0.2% |
Product types under HS 8541
| 8541.40 | Solar cells and LED | 94% |
| 8541.90 | Semiconductor parts | 3.8% |
| 8541.10 | Diodes | 1.5% |
| 8541.30 | Thyristors and triacs | 0.3% |
| 8541.29 | Power transistors | 0.1% |
| 8541.21 | Low power transistors | 0% |
| 8541.60 | Piezo-electric crystals | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8541.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.58 per kg, 66% below the world average of $7.54, 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.
Semiconductors exports from Kenya
Exports of semiconductors by Kenya reached $3.7 million in 2024 (592 tonnes). Most of it went to South Sudan (20%), Uganda (15%), Malawi (13%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 49%. Among the main buyer markets, Cote d'Ivoire grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan | $756K | 20% |
| Uganda | $570K | 15% |
| Malawi | $488K | 13% |
| Tanzania | $413K | 11% |
| Zambia | $287K | 7.7% |
| Burundi | $249K | 6.7% |
| Nigeria | $244K | 6.6% |
| Rwanda | $212K | 5.7% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $111K | 3% |
| Zimbabwe | $57K | 1.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya semiconductors imports (HS 8541): 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 8541: Semiconductor devices (e.g. diodes, transistors, semiconductor based transducers); including photovoltaic cells assembled or not in modules or panels, light-emitting diodes (LED) assembled with other LEDs or not, mounted piezo-electric crystals.
Common questions
What is the value of semiconductors imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported semiconductors worth $46.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 17.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 90th of 222 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply semiconductors to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 93% of the value ($43.1 million), followed by India (1%) and the United Arab Emirates (1%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 51 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 235% on the year.
What is the average import price of semiconductors per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.58 per kg in 2024, 66% below the world average of $7.54 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of semiconductors to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $50.1 million in 2017 to $46.2 million in 2024, a fall of 8%. The peak was 2020 at $60.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $46.2 million a year.
Does Kenya also export semiconductors?
Yes. Kenya exported $3.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Sudan, Uganda and Malawi. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $42.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for semiconductors?
The HS code for semiconductors is heading 8541. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 8541.40 (94% of the value) and 8541.90 (4%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Kenya, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
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