Africa: Expanded Metal Market 2025

Expanded Metal Market Size in Africa

In 2022, the African expanded metal market decreased by -0.9% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Expanded Metal Production in Africa

In value terms, expanded metal production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Expanded Metal Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, expanded metal exports in Africa contracted slightly to X tons, reducing by -4.1% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 111%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, expanded metal exports contracted modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 37%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 52% of total exports. Ghana (X tons) held a 21% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Kenya (6.2%) and Egypt (5.4%). The following exporters - Senegal (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons) - together made up 7.4% of total exports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of iron or steel expanded metal. At the same time, Senegal (+35.1%) and Kenya (+16.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +35.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Ghana (-3.5%), Burkina Faso (-8.0%), Tunisia (-11.3%) and Egypt (-19.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa, Kenya and Senegal increased by +16, +5.3 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest expanded metal supplier in Africa, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 7.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa was relatively modest. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Egypt (-11.3% per year) and Ghana (-6.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 2.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 88%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+10.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Expanded Metal Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of iron or steel expanded metal decreased by -10.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -13.9% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expanded metal imports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 29%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Senegal (X tons), followed by Niger (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Togo (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) were the major importers of iron or steel expanded metal, together committing 44% of total imports. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Mauritania (X tons), Ghana (X tons), Cameroon (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Niger (with a CAGR of +55.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Senegal ($X), Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 25% share of total imports. Algeria, Ghana, Niger, Cameroon, Togo, Tanzania, Mauritania, Zambia, Namibia and Burkina Faso lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

Among the main importing countries, Niger, with a CAGR of +31.8%, saw 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 ton, waning by -4.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a noticeable setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Algeria ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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