South Africa: Smart Card Market 2025

Smart Card Market Size in South Africa

The South African smart card market rose modestly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 3.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -2.1% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Smart Card Production in South Africa

In value terms, smart card production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 115%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Smart Card Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, exports of cards incorporating an electronic integrated circuit (smart card) from South Africa contracted to X units, waning by -12.9% against 2021. In general, exports showed a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 105%. The exports peaked at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, smart card exports declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 46%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X units), Lesotho (X units) and Zambia (X units) were the main destinations of smart card exports from South Africa, with a combined 64% share of total exports. Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, the UK, Angola and China lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +15.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for smart card exported from South Africa were Mozambique ($X), Botswana ($X) and Zambia ($X), together comprising 45% of total exports. Lesotho, Namibia, the UK, Zimbabwe, Angola and China lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +17.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average smart card export price stood at $X per unit in 2022, increasing by 8.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted a pronounced expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average export price increased by 49% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2016 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Namibia (+13.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Smart Card Imports

Imports into South Africa

After eight years of growth, purchases abroad of cards incorporating an electronic integrated circuit (smart card) decreased by -4.2% to X units in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% 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 +89.6% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X units in 2021, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

In value terms, smart card imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X units) constituted the largest supplier of smart card to South Africa, with a 47% share of total imports. Moreover, smart card imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X units), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Singapore (X units), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to +18.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+14.0% per year) and Singapore (+4.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cards incorporating an electronic integrated circuit (smart card) to South Africa, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Singapore ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 9.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at +14.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Singapore (+2.0% per year) and India (+4.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average smart card import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, increasing by 22% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt setback. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($X per unit), while the price for Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+9.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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