Africa: Tobacco Market 2025

Tobacco Market Size in Africa

The African tobacco market rose slightly to $X in 2021, picking up by 4.8% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a slight downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the market value increased by 8.9%. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Tobacco Production in Africa

In value terms, tobacco production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Tobacco Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) were exported in Africa; stabilizing at the year before. Total exports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -25.0% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 72%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, tobacco exports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Kenya (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Uganda (X tons) was the key exporter of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in Africa, creating 84% of total export. It was distantly followed by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), creating an 8.5% share of total exports. Morocco (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Egypt (with a CAGR of +73.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest tobacco supplying countries in Africa were Egypt ($X), Cote d'Ivoire ($X) and South Africa ($X), together comprising 67% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Egypt, with a CAGR of +90.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 5.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Uganda ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+9.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Tobacco Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, the amount of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) imported in Africa amounted to X tons, with an increase of 10% on the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, tobacco imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 19%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Algeria was the major importer of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in Africa, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 43% of total imports in 2021. Sudan (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 9.1% share, followed by Libya (6.4%) and Burkina Faso (6.1%). Zambia (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Madagascar (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), Congo (X tons), Mauritania (X tons) and Senegal (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into Algeria increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Burkina Faso (+217.2%), Zambia (+76.2%), Sudan (+49.6%), Mauritania (+45.9%), Nigeria (+34.0%), Morocco (+33.1%), Madagascar (+15.7%), Senegal (+7.8%), Tunisia (+3.0%), Congo (+2.7%) and Libya (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Burkina Faso emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +217.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Mozambique (-3.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Algeria (+12 p.p.), Sudan (+8.9 p.p.), Burkina Faso (+6.1 p.p.), Zambia (+3.8 p.p.), Morocco (+2.9 p.p.), Madagascar (+2 p.p.), Nigeria (+1.8 p.p.) and Mauritania (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Algeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in Africa, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Burkina Faso ($X), with a 9.4% share of total imports. It was followed by Libya, with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Algeria totaled +1.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Burkina Faso (+284.0% per year) and Libya (+9.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the import price increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a 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 Burkina Faso ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritania (+22.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :