The impasse between Kenya and Sudan has deepened after Khartoum imposed a ban on all imports from Nairobi. Sudanese authorities say Kenya’s continued support for Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is the reason behind this move, further straining trade between the two countries.

Sudan’s Import Ban and The Economic Impact

The announcement made by Sudan’s Acting Minister of Trade and Supplies Omar Ahmed Mohamed Ali stops all Kenyan goods from entering the country through ports, border crossings and airports until further notice. This comes barely weeks after RSF leaders signed a declaration in Nairobi to establish a parallel government in Sudan, a move widely condemned by Sudanese authorities.

The ban will affect key Kenyan exports particularly tea which is one of the country’s top foreign exchange earner. Many Kenyan businesses that rely on Sudan as an export market now face uncertainty, job losses and missed opportunities.

Kenya’s Trade with Sudan: A Dwindling Market

According to trade data, Kenya exported goods worth $48.15 million to Sudan in 2023. The major exports were:

  • Coffee, tea and spices – $29.71 million

  • Tobacco and tobacco substitutes – $3.92 million

  • Animal and vegetable fats and oils – $2.41 million

  • Soaps and lubricants – $1.67 million

  • Electrical equipment – $1.67 million

But trade between the two countries has been declining. Kenyan exports to Sudan have been declining at an annual rate of 7.07% over the past five years from $69.5 million in 2018 to $48.2 million in 2023. The latest ban will further worsen this trend and lead to more economic loss for Kenyan exporters.

Political Tension Behind The Trade War

The latest trade war is a fallout of Sudan’s opposition to the political charter signed in Nairobi on February 22, 2025. During this meeting, RSF and its allied political and armed groups announced plans to establish a “parallel government” in Sudan. The move was condemned by the African Union, Qatar and Saudi Arabia with Sudan accusing Kenya of meddling in its internal affairs.For over two years now the RSF led by US sanctioned commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) has been at war with the Sudanese Armed Forces. Sudan’s leadership has interpreted Kenya’s hosting of the RSF meeting as a “hostile act and interference” against Sudan which is against international diplomatic norms.

Kenya’s Position on the Conflict

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defended Kenya’s role in hosting the RSF meeting saying “Kenya’s engagement is consistent with its role in peace negotiations which requires it to provide non-partisan platforms for conflict parties to find solutions.”

What’s Next: Kenya-Sudan Trade Relations

The import ban by Sudan adds a new layer of uncertainty to Kenya’s trade sector. The long-term impact is not clear but businesses and policymakers will need to look for alternative markets and diplomatic solutions to mitigate the fallout.