Africa: Rock Cutter Market 2025

Rock Cutter Market Size in Africa

After three years of growth, the African rock cutter market decreased by -33.5% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate strong growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then reduced dramatically in the following year.

Rock Cutter Production in Africa

In value terms, rock cutter production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 92% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Rock Cutter Exports

Exports in Africa

Rock cutter exports expanded notably to X units in 2022, growing by 9% on the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 55% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rock cutter exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 97% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the largest exporting country with an export of about X units, which recorded 45% of total exports. Botswana (X units) held a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Mali (5.8%), Mozambique (5.8%), Tanzania (4.9%) and Malawi (4.9%). Senegal (X units), Zambia (X units) and Namibia (X units) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to rock cutter exports from South Africa stood at -11.8%. At the same time, Botswana (+23.6%), Mozambique (+19.6%), Namibia (+7.2%), Malawi (+7.2%), Zambia (+5.2%) and Senegal (+4.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Botswana emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +23.6% from 2012-2022. Mali experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Tanzania (-13.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Botswana (+11 p.p.), Mozambique (+5.4 p.p.), Malawi (+3.7 p.p.), Mali (+3.4 p.p.), Senegal (+2.9 p.p.) and Zambia (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Tanzania and South Africa saw its share reduced by -4.7% and -27.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest rock cutter supplier in Africa, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Botswana ($X), with an 8.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa amounted to -1.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Botswana (+42.4% per year) and Tanzania (-6.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2022, increasing by 68% against the previous year. Export price indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 South Africa ($X per unit), while Zambia ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+38.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rock Cutter Imports

Imports in Africa

After three years of growth, supplies from abroad of coal or rock cutters and tunnelling machinery decreased by -31.6% to X units in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 75% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X units in 2021, and then reduced notably in the following year.

In value terms, rock cutter imports contracted rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 51%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria prevails in imports structure, reaching X units, which was near 56% of total imports in 2022. Rwanda (X units) held a 5.3% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Egypt (4.6%). Niger (X units), South Africa (X units), Morocco (X units), Lesotho (X units), Tanzania (X units) and Sudan (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the coal or rock cutters and tunnelling machinery imports, with a CAGR of +52.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Morocco (+26.4%), Rwanda (+18.5%), Sudan (+8.4%), Egypt (+6.4%), Niger (+3.8%) and Tanzania (+3.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Lesotho experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, South Africa (-2.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+54 p.p.), Rwanda (+2.9 p.p.) and Morocco (+2.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Niger, Lesotho and South Africa saw its share reduced by -2.7%, -2.8% and -7.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X), Egypt ($X) and South Africa ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 45% of total imports. Niger, Tanzania, Sudan, Lesotho, Rwanda and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 18%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Morocco, with a CAGR of +40.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per unit, surging by 6.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 11% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+11.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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