The article examines the economic role of the Indian diaspora living in East Africa. The main stages of Indian resettlement to the African continent are analyzed. The author pays attention to the reasons for the resettlement. Some distinctive features of the representatives of the Indian diaspora are highlighted and explored. The socio-economic status of people of Indian origin in the host countries and the impact of the connection with the historical homeland on it are studied. The article provides statistical data on the size of the Indian diaspora living in East Africa. Particular attention is paid to those countries in East Africa where the Indian diaspora population is large: Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The degree of integration of the Indian diaspora into the economic life of these countries is assessed. The author provides a brief description of India’s main economic interests on the African continent. Promising areas of cooperation are identified. The analysis presented in the article demonstrates that the Indian diaspora in East Africa already plays a significant role in strengthening economic ties between India and African countries, and identifies prospects for further enhancing this cooperation.