Africa: Hot-Rolled Steel Products Market 2025

Hot-Rolled Steel Products Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African hot-rolled steel products market decreased by -3.1% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Hot-Rolled Steel Products Production in Africa

In value terms, hot-rolled steel products production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 14%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Hot-Rolled Steel Products Exports

Exports in Africa

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than hot-rolled) increased by 84% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hot-rolled steel products exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded modest growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons) represented the largest exporter of flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than hot-rolled), making up 73% of total exports. South Africa (X tons) took a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Libya (5%). The following exporters - Algeria (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) - together made up 7.4% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to hot-rolled steel products exports from Egypt stood at +12.9%. At the same time, Algeria (+25.0%) and Libya (+13.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Algeria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +25.0% from 2012-2021. Morocco experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, South Africa (-16.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Egypt (+47 p.p.), Algeria (+3.6 p.p.) and Libya (+3.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-52.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest hot-rolled steel products supplier in Africa, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Libya, with a 5% share.

In Egypt, hot-rolled steel products exports expanded at an average annual rate of +13.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Africa (-12.9% per year) and Libya (+18.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 30% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Algeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+4.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Hot-Rolled Steel Products Imports

Imports in Africa

Hot-rolled steel products imports reduced remarkably to X tons in 2021, with a decrease of -19.2% compared with 2020. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hot-rolled steel products imports expanded notably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the seven major importers of flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than hot-rolled), namely Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Algeria and Tunisia, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Uganda (X tons), Ethiopia (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Angola (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Sudan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Uganda (with a CAGR of +10.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X), Kenya ($X) and Nigeria ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 44% of total imports. Tanzania, South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Morocco, Ethiopia, Zambia, Angola and Sudan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +9.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 40% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. As a result, import price reached 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 Morocco ($X per ton), while Uganda ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+6.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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