Africa: Women Knitwear Market 2025

Women Knitwear Market Size in Africa

For the seventh year in a row, the African women knitwear market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 2.5% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption posted a resilient expansion. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Women Knitwear Production in Africa

In value terms, women knitwear production rose modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 49% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Women Knitwear Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of women's or girls' clothing (knitted or crocheted) increased by 14% to X units, rising for the fifth consecutive year after four years of decline. Overall, exports, however, saw a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 17%. The volume of export peaked at X units in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, women knitwear exports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 27%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Morocco (X units) and Lesotho (X units) represented the largest exporters of women's or girls' clothing (knitted or crocheted) in 2022, reaching near 25% and 24% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Madagascar (X units), Kenya (X units), Swaziland (X units), Tunisia (X units), Mauritius (X units) and South Africa (X units), together comprising a 48% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for South Africa (with a CAGR of +14.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) remains the largest women knitwear supplier in Africa, comprising 41% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Lesotho ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Madagascar, with an 11% share.

In Morocco, women knitwear exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Lesotho (+4.4% per year) and Madagascar (+25.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per unit, declining by -6.6% against the previous year. Export price indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 23% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, 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 Morocco ($X per unit), while Swaziland ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (+12.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Women Knitwear Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X units of women's or girls' clothing (knitted or crocheted) were imported in Africa; with an increase of 20% on the previous year. Total imports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +14.1% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, women knitwear imports surged to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X units), distantly followed by Nigeria (X units), Algeria (X units), Cameroon (X units), Libya (X units), Guinea (X units) and Ghana (X units) were the main importers of women's or girls' clothing (knitted or crocheted), together generating 74% of total imports. The following importers - Sudan (X units), Djibouti (X units), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X units), Mayotte (X units), Madagascar (X units) and Liberia (X units) - together made up 16% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +56.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest women knitwear importing markets in Africa were Nigeria ($X), South Africa ($X) and Cameroon ($X), together accounting for 45% of total imports.

Nigeria, with a CAGR of +56.5%, saw 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 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per unit, rising by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2017 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per unit), while Mayotte ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Djibouti (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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