Africa: Rare Earth Metal Market 2025

Rare Earth Metal Market Size in Africa

The African rare earth metal market soared to $X in 2021, with an increase of 795% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a significant expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Rare Earth Metal Production in Africa

In value terms, rare earth metal production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 2,066% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Rare Earth Metal Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of rare earth metals decreased by -59.4% to X kg, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a slight expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 2,449%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, rare earth metal exports shrank remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 676% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the largest exporter of rare earth metals in Africa, with the volume of exports resulting at X kg, which was near 84% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Madagascar (X kg), committing a 10% share of total exports. Tunisia (X kg) took a minor share of total exports.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the rare earth metals exports, with a CAGR of +33.4% from 2012 to 2021. Madagascar and Tunisia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of South Africa (+77 p.p.), Madagascar (+10 p.p.) and Tunisia (+3.5 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest rare earth metal supplying countries in Africa were Madagascar ($X), Tunisia ($X) and South Africa ($X), with a combined 94% share of total exports.

South Africa, with a CAGR of +6.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, declining by -45.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 10,144%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then contracted markedly 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 Tunisia ($X per ton), while South Africa ($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 (-20.3%).

Rare Earth Metal Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of rare earth metals increased by 54% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, imports, however, saw a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 259% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rare earth metal imports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 87%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria prevails in imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 84% of total imports in 2021. Egypt (X tons) took a 5% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by South Africa (4.7%). Sudan (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the rare earth metals imports, with a CAGR of +37.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Sudan (+10.1%) and Egypt (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, South Africa (-6.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Nigeria, Egypt and Sudan increased by +82, +3.4 and +2 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X), South Africa ($X) and Egypt ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 62% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Nigeria, with a CAGR of +19.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the import price increased by 73%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($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 (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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