Africa: Lithium Carbonate Market 2025

Lithium Carbonate Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African lithium carbonate market increased by 54% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. The total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +85.1% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Lithium Carbonate Production in Africa

In value terms, lithium carbonate production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 110% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Lithium Carbonate Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of lithium carbonates was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports posted a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 385% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lithium carbonate exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 142%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Rwanda represented the largest exporter of lithium carbonates in Africa, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was near 66% of total exports in 2021. South Africa (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Zimbabwe (14%). Sierra Leone (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Rwanda experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of lithium carbonates. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+40.4%) and Sierra Leone (+16.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +40.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Africa (-1.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Rwanda and Zimbabwe increased by +66 and +12 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) emerged as the largest lithium carbonate supplier in Africa, comprising 44% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zimbabwe ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Sierra Leone, with a 20% 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: Zimbabwe (+34.8% per year) and Sierra Leone (+8.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -26.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 220%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, 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 Sierra Leone ($X per ton), while Rwanda ($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 (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Lithium Carbonate Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, imports of lithium carbonates in Africa surged to X tons, growing by 26% compared with 2020. In general, imports, however, saw a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 162%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports declined modestly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 172% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons) was the largest importer of lithium carbonates, creating 59% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), together achieving a 32% share of total imports. Senegal (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

Imports into South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -9.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Senegal (+75.2%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+17.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +75.2% from 2012-2021. Egypt experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Egypt (+13 p.p.), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+6.5 p.p.) and Senegal (+3.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -9.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lithium carbonates in Africa, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 2.4% share.

In South Africa, lithium carbonate imports plunged by an average annual rate of -5.0% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (-2.9% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+15.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -21.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, enjoyed measured growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 60% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 South Africa ($X per ton), while Democratic Republic of the Congo ($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 a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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