Africa: Zinc Market 2025

Zinc Market Size in Africa

The African zinc market contracted to $X in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. The total consumption indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +62.2% against 2012 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Zinc Production in Africa

In value terms, zinc production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -1.5% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Zinc Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of zinc, unwrought (not alloyed) increased by 0.9% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 16% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, zinc exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 76%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Burkina Faso prevails in exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 83% of total exports in 2022. Congo (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Namibia (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 15% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to zinc exports from Burkina Faso stood at +10.3%. At the same time, Congo (+16.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Congo emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +16.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Namibia (-23.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Burkina Faso and Congo increased by +62 and +7.8 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Burkina Faso ($X) remains the largest zinc supplier in Africa, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Congo ($X), with a 23% share of total exports.

In Burkina Faso, zinc exports increased at an average annual rate of +18.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Congo (+56.2% per year) and Namibia (-21.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 7.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Congo ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Congo (+34.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Zinc Imports

Imports in Africa

Zinc imports reached X tons in 2022, increasing by 4.7% against the previous year. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 25%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, zinc imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% 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 +46.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) represented the main importer of zinc, unwrought (not alloyed), constituting 46% of total imports. Egypt (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by Algeria (8.8%) and Morocco (8%). Kenya (X tons), Djibouti (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Uganda (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to zinc imports into South Africa stood at +1.3%. At the same time, Algeria (+41.8%), Egypt (+9.6%) and Morocco (+3.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Algeria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +41.8% from 2012-2022. Djibouti and Tunisia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Uganda (-2.8%), Kenya (-7.9%), Tanzania (-9.9%) and Nigeria (-14.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Egypt (+9.7 p.p.), Algeria (+8.6 p.p.), South Africa (+8.2 p.p.) and Morocco (+2.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Tanzania (-3 p.p.), Kenya (-4.1 p.p.) and Nigeria (-10 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported zinc, unwrought (not alloyed) in Africa, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Morocco, with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa amounted to +5.2%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (+14.9% per year) and Morocco (+10.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 20% against the previous year. Import price indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, zinc import price increased by +34.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 35%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Tanzania ($X per ton) and Morocco ($X per ton), while Djibouti ($X per ton) and South Africa ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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