Africa: Iron Angle Market 2025

Iron Angle Market Size in Africa

After two years of decline, the African iron angle market increased by 6.6% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a slight downturn. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Iron Angle Production in Africa

In value terms, iron angle production expanded modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Iron Angle Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of angles, shapes and sections (of iron or non-alloy steel) decreased by -13.8% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports recorded a pronounced decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 25%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, iron angle exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 30%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 55% of total exports in 2021. Zambia (X tons) took a 7.1% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Egypt (5.9%) and Senegal (5.2%). Libya (X tons), Uganda (X tons), Ghana (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Benin (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -5.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Nigeria (+28.2%), Ghana (+13.9%), Tanzania (+11.1%), Zambia (+7.9%), Uganda (+4.4%) and Senegal (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +28.2% from 2012-2021. Benin experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Libya (-1.1%), Kenya (-7.1%), Egypt (-10.0%) and Tunisia (-21.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Zambia (+4.8 p.p.), Ghana (+3.2 p.p.), Senegal (+2.6 p.p.) and Uganda (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Egypt (-3.9 p.p.), South Africa (-5.5 p.p.) and Tunisia (-9.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest iron angle supplier in Africa, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 6.7% share of total exports. It was followed by Egypt, with a 6% share.

In South Africa, iron angle exports shrank by an average annual rate of -4.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Zambia (+8.8% per year) and Egypt (-8.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (+5.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Iron Angle Imports

Imports in Africa

For the third year in a row, Africa recorded decline in supplies from abroad of angles, shapes and sections (of iron or non-alloy steel), which decreased by -9.8% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, iron angle imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 32%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Imports by Country

Algeria (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) represented the main importers of angles, shapes and sections (of iron or non-alloy steel) in 2021, finishing at approx. 21% and 17% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons), Nigeria (X tons) and Ghana (X tons), together mixing up a 21% share of total imports. The following importers - Tunisia (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Cameroon (X tons), Libya (X tons), Senegal (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) - together made up 23% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (with a CAGR of +13.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Algeria ($X), Morocco ($X) and Egypt ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 48% share of total imports. Ghana, Nigeria, Tunisia, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya and Senegal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

Among the main importing countries, Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +12.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 33% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cameroon (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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