Africa: Market for Laptops and Palm-Top Computers 2025

Market Size for Laptops and Palm-Top Computers in Africa

The African laptop and tablet computer market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, increasing by 59% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers in Africa

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 79% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers

Exports in Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of laptops and palm-top computers increased by 59% to X units for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, showed a perceptible decline. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 64%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, reaching X units, which was approx. 77% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Rwanda (X units), comprising a 7.1% share of total exports. The following exporters - Kenya (X units), Senegal (X units), Cameroon (X units), Mauritius (X units) and Namibia (X units) - each amounted to a 9.3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to laptop and tablet computer exports from South Africa stood at -3.7%. At the same time, Rwanda (+43.1%), Mauritius (+18.6%), Senegal (+8.1%) and Cameroon (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Rwanda emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +43.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Kenya (-11.1%) and Namibia (-15.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Rwanda (+6.9 p.p.), South Africa (+2.8 p.p.) and Mauritius (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Kenya (-2 p.p.) and Namibia (-3.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest laptop and tablet computer supplier in Africa, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Rwanda ($X), with a 2.7% share of total exports. It was followed by Mauritius, with a 1.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, 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: Rwanda (+45.0% per year) and Mauritius (+17.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per unit, shrinking by -5.6% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.9%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per unit), while Senegal ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+9.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers

Imports in Africa

Laptop and tablet computer imports skyrocketed to X units in 2021, with an increase of 55% against the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer imports soared to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the key importing country with an import of around X units, which amounted to 32% of total imports. Kenya (X units) held a 9% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Egypt (7.5%), Morocco (6.2%) and Ghana (5.3%). Libya (X units), Angola (X units), Tunisia (X units), Tanzania (X units), Cote d'Ivoire (X units), Algeria (X units), Zimbabwe (X units) and Botswana (X units) took a minor share of total imports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of laptops and palm-top computers. At the same time, Cote d'Ivoire (+12.4%), Kenya (+8.1%), Egypt (+6.6%), Ghana (+4.4%), Angola (+2.4%) and Morocco (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cote d'Ivoire emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +12.4% from 2012-2021. Zimbabwe experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Tanzania (-2.1%), Botswana (-2.3%), Libya (-2.3%), Tunisia (-5.2%) and Algeria (-15.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Kenya, Egypt, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana increased by +4.7, +3.5, +2 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported laptops and palm-top computers in Africa, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Morocco, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa amounted to +2.5%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (+11.2% per year) and Morocco (+4.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2021, surging by 5.2% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 14%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

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 ($X per unit), while Tanzania ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+5.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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