SADC: Market for Laptops and Palm-Top Computers 2025

Market Size for Laptops and Palm-Top Computers in SADC

In 2021, the SADC laptop and tablet computer market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. The total consumption indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers in SADC

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 79%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers

Exports in SADC

After three years of decline, overseas shipments of laptops and palm-top computers increased by 60% to X units in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 73% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa prevails in exports structure, recording X units, which was approx. 93% of total exports in 2021. The following exporters - Mauritius (X units) and Namibia (X units) - each finished at a 4.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to laptop and tablet computer exports from South Africa stood at -3.7%. At the same time, Mauritius (+18.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritius emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +18.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Namibia (-15.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+2.4 p.p.) and Mauritius (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Namibia saw its share reduced by -4.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest laptop and tablet computer supplier in SADC, comprising 96% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mauritius ($X), with a 1.7% share of total exports.

In South Africa, laptop and tablet computer exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mauritius (+17.6% per year) and Namibia (-7.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per unit, which is down by -6.3% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.4%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 18%. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2020, and then declined 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 South Africa ($X per unit), while Namibia ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+9.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers

Imports in SADC

In 2021, approx. X units of laptops and palm-top computers were imported in SADC; surging by 50% against the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The volume of import peaked at X units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer imports soared to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

South Africa dominates imports structure, recording X units, which was near 67% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Angola (X units) and Tanzania (X units), together generating a 14% share of total imports. Zimbabwe (X units), Botswana (X units), Mauritius (X units) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X units) held a relatively small share of total imports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of laptops and palm-top computers. At the same time, Mauritius (+6.9%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+3.0%) and Angola (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritius emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +6.9% from 2012-2021. Zimbabwe experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Tanzania (-2.1%) and Botswana (-2.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Angola (+1.6 p.p.) and Mauritius (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported laptops and palm-top computers in SADC, comprising 83% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with a 3.2% share of total imports. It was followed by Angola, with a 2.1% share.

In South Africa, laptop and tablet computer imports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mauritius (+8.4% per year) and Angola (+3.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per unit in 2021, rising by 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (+11.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform