Kenya’s Dependence on China Brings Good News and Bad News for the Economy

Mark RALSTON / AFP

The Kenyan government released a pair of statistics yesterday that highlights the country’s close interdependence with China and, for better and for worse, how that impacts the economy. 

China Simultaneously Helps and Hurts the Kenyan Economy

THE GOOD NEWS: The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reported that the trade deficit fell by 20% in the first half of the year largely due to a sharp drop in trade with China. Although Chinese imports during this period fell by almost 10%, China nonetheless remains Kenya’s largest trading partner.

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by Eric Olander

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