Egypt and Kenya are discussing a landmark shift in their trade ties. Barter trade could help the two countries lift some pressure on their foreign currency demands.

Kenyan Treasury Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u has said that Egypt is seeking to buy tea using the system to save the two countries hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars.

The motivation behind this move stems from the severe shortage of US dollars in both countries, which has exacerbated inflationary pressures and placed a heavy burden on their economies.