Africa: Helicopter Market 2025

Helicopter Market Size in Africa

The African helicopter market surged to $X in 2022, picking up by 477% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Helicopter Production in Africa

In value terms, helicopter production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Helicopter Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of civil helicopters decreased by -93.7% to X units for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a noticeable downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 492%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, helicopter exports fell to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 60% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the main exporter of civil helicopters in Africa, with the volume of exports amounting to X units, which was near 37% of total exports in 2022. Nigeria (X units) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Congo (X units) and Uganda (X units). All these countries together held approx. 33% share of total exports. Tanzania (X units), Cote d'Ivoire (X units), Mauritius (X units), Namibia (X units), Seychelles (X units), Gabon (X units), Morocco (X units), Cameroon (X units) and Madagascar (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mauritius (with a CAGR of +28.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) remains the largest helicopter supplier in Africa, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Seychelles ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Cote d'Ivoire, with a 9.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Nigeria totaled +15.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Seychelles (+61.1% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (-7.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per unit, with an increase of 1,281% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a buoyant expansion. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Seychelles ($X per unit), while Mauritius ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Seychelles (+50.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Helicopter Imports

Imports in Africa

Helicopter imports skyrocketed to X units in 2022, picking up by 117% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a significant decline. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, helicopter imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +40.3% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 75%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Zimbabwe (X units) was the main importer of civil helicopters, committing 44% of total imports. South Africa (X units) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 14% share, followed by Nigeria (6.5%). Morocco (X units), Niger (X units), Algeria (X units), Sudan (X units), Ghana (X units), Seychelles (X units) and Mauritania (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to helicopter imports into Zimbabwe stood at +52.8%. At the same time, Niger (+621.1%), Seychelles (+23.5%), Mauritania (+20.4%), Nigeria (+16.4%), Morocco (+12.5%) and Ghana (+11.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Niger emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +621.1% from 2012-2022. Algeria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Sudan (-1.9%) and South Africa (-31.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Morocco, Niger, Algeria, Ghana, Sudan, Seychelles and Mauritania increased by +44, +6.3, +3.8, +3.7, +2.7, +2.4, +2.4, +2.3 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Niger ($X), Ghana ($X) and Algeria ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 43% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Niger, with a CAGR of +85.1%, saw 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 unit in 2022, dropping by -45.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 378%. The level of import peaked at $X per unit in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per unit), while Zimbabwe ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Niger (+2,960.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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