SADC: Magnetic Card Market 2025

Magnetic Card Market Size in SADC

The SADC magnetic card market declined remarkably to $X in 2021, shrinking by -17.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw significant growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then dropped notably in the following year.

Magnetic Card Production in SADC

In value terms, magnetic card production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 96% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Magnetic Card Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, shipments abroad of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe increased by 24% to X units, rising for the fifth consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, recorded a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 583%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X units. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, magnetic card exports reduced to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a tangible increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 100% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Tanzania (X units) represented the main exporter of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, generating 63% of total exports. Lesotho (X units) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 10% share, followed by Mauritius (9.1%) and Namibia (6%). Seychelles (X units), Angola (X units) and Botswana (X units) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from Tanzania decreased at an average annual rate of -3.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Seychelles (+56.6%), Botswana (+52.5%), Angola (+36.0%), Lesotho (+16.7%), Mauritius (+16.4%) and Namibia (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Seychelles emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +56.6% from 2012-2021. While the share of Lesotho (+8.1 p.p.), Mauritius (+7 p.p.), Seychelles (+4 p.p.), Angola (+2.4 p.p.), Namibia (+2 p.p.) and Botswana (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Tanzania (-18.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) remains the largest magnetic card supplier in SADC, comprising 5.8% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mauritius ($X), with a 0.9% share of total exports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 0.6% share.

In Tanzania, magnetic card exports expanded at an average annual rate of +14.9% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mauritius (+18.4% per year) and Namibia (+7.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per unit in 2021, with a decrease of -26% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 429%. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Mauritius ($X per unit), while Seychelles ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+19.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Magnetic Card Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, approx. X units of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe were imported in SADC; with an increase of 31% against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 144% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, magnetic card imports stood at $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 102% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Botswana dominates imports structure, accounting for X units, which was approx. 71% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Madagascar (X units), achieving a 6.3% share of total imports. The following importers - Lesotho (X units), Angola (X units), Zimbabwe (X units), Mauritius (X units), Tanzania (X units), Namibia (X units) and Zambia (X units) - together made up 18% of total imports.

Botswana was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cards incorporating a magnetic stripe imports, with a CAGR of +63.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Madagascar (+33.1%) and Lesotho (+21.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Mauritius (-4.6%), Zambia (-6.4%), Zimbabwe (-6.8%), Namibia (-14.2%), Angola (-29.0%) and Tanzania (-37.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Botswana (+71 p.p.), Madagascar (+6.1 p.p.) and Lesotho (+4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Angola (-19.5 p.p.) and Tanzania (-50.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest magnetic card importing markets in SADC were Botswana ($X), Madagascar ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X), with a combined 29% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Botswana, with a CAGR of +30.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per unit in 2021, falling by -23.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 179%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+44.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform