Africa: Electric Rail Locomotive Market 2025

Electric Rail Locomotive Market Size in Africa

The African electric rail locomotive market stood at $X in 2022, picking up by 4.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Electric Rail Locomotive Production in Africa

In value terms, electric rail locomotive production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 27% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Electric Rail Locomotive Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of electric rail locomotives increased by 233% to X units, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, exports posted prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 1,245%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, electric rail locomotive exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a dramatic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 5,214% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, accounting for X units, which was approx. 93% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Namibia (X units), Nigeria (X units) and Tanzania (X units) - each resulted at a 7.5% share of total exports.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the electric rail locomotives exports, with a CAGR of +22.2% from 2012 to 2022. Tanzania, Namibia and Nigeria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa increased by +54 percentage points.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest electric rail locomotive supplier in Africa, comprising 32% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 2.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Nigeria, with a 2.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa amounted to +4.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tanzania (+21.6% per year) and Nigeria (+46.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2022, dropping by -56.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a sharp curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 2,198% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+46.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Electric Rail Locomotive Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of electric rail locomotives, when their volume increased by 36% to X units. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 2,803% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, electric rail locomotive imports contracted to $X in 2022. In general, imports posted a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 285% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa (X units) and Madagascar (X units) dominates imports structure, together committing 86% of total imports. Mozambique (X units), Zambia (X units), Angola (X units) and Gambia (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Madagascar (with a CAGR of +72.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, Madagascar ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported electric rail locomotives in Africa, comprising 15% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 1.6% share of total imports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 0.2% share.

In Madagascar, electric rail locomotive imports increased at an average annual rate of +213.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Zambia (-6.6% per year) and Mozambique (-15.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per unit, shrinking by -35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 2,941%. The level of import peaked at $X per unit in 2021, and then plummeted 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 Zambia ($X per unit), while South Africa ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (+82.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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