- Kenya recorded a GDP of $151.15 billion, placing it above all seven fellow EAC member states according to IMF data
- DR Congo ranked second among EAC economies with a GDP of $122.28 billion, followed by Tanzania at $96.18 billion
- Burundi posted the lowest GDP in the bloc at $7.61 billion, just below South Sudan's $7.98 billion
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Kenya has maintained its position as the largest economy in the East African Community (EAC), recording a gross domestic product of $151.15 billion (KSh 19.6 trillion) as of October 2026.
Source: Twitter
This is according to data published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The figures place Kenya well ahead of all seven other member states in the regional bloc, underscoring the country's economic dominance within East Africa.
How the IMF ranked countries in EAC
The Democratic Republic of Congo ranked second in the bloc with a GDP of $122.28 billion, while Tanzania came in third at $96.18 billion.
Uganda followed with $72.24 billion, positioning it as the fourth-largest economy in the community.
Rwanda recorded a GDP of $18.67 billion, placing it fifth, while Somalia followed at $14.82 billion. South Sudan posted $7.98 billion, ranking seventh, with Burundi recording the lowest GDP among EAC member states at $7.61 billion.
How Kenya is far ahead
The gap between Kenya and the second-ranked DR Congo stands at approximately $28.87 billion (KSh 3.74 trillion), reflecting a substantial lead at the top of the regional economic table.
Kenya's GDP is also nearly double that of Tanzania, which holds third position in the bloc.
The EAC currently comprises eight member states, and the IMF data captures the economic output of each country as measured in United States dollars. The spread between the highest and lowest-ranked economies in the bloc is considerable, with Kenya's output being roughly 20 times larger than that of Burundi.
Kenya's economic strength has historically been driven by sectors including financial services, telecommunications, agriculture, and trade, with Nairobi serving as a key commercial and investment hub for the broader East African region.
What else did the IMF publish?
In related news, we highlighted the IMF’s 2026 forecasts for Kenya’s inflation, economic growth and current account deficit, examining their potential impact on households and the wider economy.
Rising food and energy prices are expected to put additional pressure on low-income families.
On the other hand, higher import costs could widen the country’s external deficit and increase pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
Source: TUKO.co.ke