Africa: Magnetic Card Market 2025

Magnetic Card Market Size in Africa

The African magnetic card market dropped rapidly to $X in 2021, which is down by -17.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a significant expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

Magnetic Card Production in Africa

In value terms, magnetic card production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a abrupt shrinkage. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Magnetic Card Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, exports of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe in Africa surged to X units, increasing by 114% on the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, showed a noticeable descent. The volume of export peaked at X units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, magnetic card exports contracted to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Libya dominates exports structure, accounting for X units, which was near 64% of total exports in 2021. Tanzania (X units) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 9.3% share, followed by Egypt (8.3%). The following exporters - Nigeria (X units), Rwanda (X units), Lesotho (X units) and Tunisia (X units) - each resulted at a 7.8% share of total exports.

Exports from Libya increased at an average annual rate of +70.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Nigeria (+100.0%), Rwanda (+51.4%), Egypt (+51.1%) and Lesotho (+16.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +100.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Tanzania (-3.8%) and Tunisia (-36.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Libya (+64 p.p.), Egypt (+8.1 p.p.), Nigeria (+2.4 p.p.) and Rwanda (+2.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Tunisia saw its share reduced by -60.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Libya ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Nigeria ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 15% of total exports.

Nigeria, with a CAGR of +104.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2021, with a decrease of -59.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 119%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2020, and then fell significantly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+19.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Magnetic Card Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, when their volume decreased by -37.1% to X units. Overall, imports saw a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 98% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, magnetic card imports fell significantly to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 71%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Botswana (X units), Nigeria (X units) and Algeria (X units) represented roughly 66% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Burkina Faso (X units), mixing up a 5.5% share of total imports. The following importers - Sudan (X units), Morocco (X units), Egypt (X units), Madagascar (X units), Ghana (X units) and Senegal (X units) - together made up 13% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Botswana (with a CAGR of +63.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cards incorporating a magnetic stripe in Africa, comprising 29% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Nigeria ($X), with a 6.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Burkina Faso, with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Egypt stood at +16.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Nigeria (+5.7% per year) and Burkina Faso (+21.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2021, growing by 7.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price posted a modest expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 54% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per unit), while Algeria (less than $X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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