Africa: Flat-Rolled Steel Products Market 2025

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Market Size in Africa

The African flat-rolled steel products market stood at $X in 2021, rising by 2.5% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Production in Africa

In value terms, flat-rolled steel products production expanded slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 9.4% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Exports

Exports in Africa

After three years of decline, shipments abroad of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel increased by 6.3% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports, however, faced a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 39%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, flat-rolled steel products exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons) was the largest exporter of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, creating 66% of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 20% share, followed by Kenya (6.6%). Uganda (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -15.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Uganda (+20.2%), Kenya (+5.8%) and Tanzania (+5.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uganda emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +20.2% from 2012-2021. While the share of Tanzania (+16 p.p.), Kenya (+5.4 p.p.) and Uganda (+2.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-25.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest flat-rolled steel products supplier in Africa, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Kenya, with a 6.2% share.

In South Africa, flat-rolled steel products exports shrank by an average annual rate of -10.8% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tanzania (+6.2% per year) and Kenya (+0.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 21% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Tanzania ($X per ton) and South Africa ($X per ton), while Uganda ($X per ton) and Kenya ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+5.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel were imported in Africa; picking up by 4.1% compared with 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, flat-rolled steel products imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the main importer of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel in Africa, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was near 39% of total imports in 2021. Nigeria (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Tunisia (10%), Morocco (8.1%), Egypt (8%) and Algeria (6.1%). Kenya (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel imports, with a CAGR of +24.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Nigeria (+12.3%), Kenya (+2.7%), Algeria (+2.4%), Tunisia (+1.9%) and Morocco (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Egypt (-7.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of South Africa and Nigeria increased by +31 and +5.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel in Africa, comprising 33% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Nigeria, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa totaled +25.1%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (-1.1% per year) and Nigeria (+13.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 22% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed slight growth. As a result, import 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 importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Kenya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+7.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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