Africa: Railway Maintenance Vehicle Market 2025

Railway Maintenance Vehicle Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African railway maintenance vehicle market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, recorded a deep setback. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Railway Maintenance Vehicle Production in Africa

In value terms, railway maintenance vehicle production expanded notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 82% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Railway Maintenance Vehicle Exports

Exports in Africa

After three years of decline, overseas shipments of railway or tramway maintenance or service vehicles increased by 47% to X units in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 187% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway maintenance vehicle exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a noticeable downturn. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X units) and Malawi (X units) were the major exporters of railway or tramway maintenance or service vehicles in Africa, together reaching approx. 62% of total exports. Ethiopia (X units) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Senegal (X units). All these countries together took near 28% share of total exports. Algeria (X units), Namibia (X units) and Botswana (X units) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Malawi (with a CAGR of +31.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest railway maintenance vehicle supplier in Africa, comprising 49% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ethiopia ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Malawi, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa totaled +46.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ethiopia (-13.5% per year) and Malawi (+20.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2021, dropping by -7.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 89%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per unit in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+30.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Railway Maintenance Vehicle Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, railway maintenance vehicle imports in Africa declined modestly to X units, waning by -4.3% compared with 2020. In general, imports faced a dramatic shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 676%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X units. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, railway maintenance vehicle imports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +64.7% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 49%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Tanzania (X units), distantly followed by Senegal (X units), Ethiopia (X units), Mauritius (X units), Nigeria (X units) and Mauritania (X units) were the largest importers of railway or tramway maintenance or service vehicles, together mixing up 83% of total imports. Morocco (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Tanzania increased at an average annual rate of +22.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Ethiopia (+92.9%), Morocco (+71.0%), Nigeria (+40.7%), Mauritius (+32.7%) and Mauritania (+26.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ethiopia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +92.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Senegal (-25.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Tanzania (+28 p.p.), Ethiopia (+13 p.p.), Mauritius (+13 p.p.), Nigeria (+9.6 p.p.), Mauritania (+5.8 p.p.) and Morocco (+4.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Senegal saw its share reduced by -8.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Ethiopia ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Mauritania ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 58% of total imports.

Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +152.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 unit, growing by 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the import price increased by 1,915% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2016 to 2021, the import prices remained 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 Ethiopia ($X per unit), while Mauritius ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+35.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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