Western Africa: Smoothing Iron Market 2025

Smoothing Iron Market Size in Western Africa

In 2021, the West African smoothing iron market decreased by -5.1% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +75.0% against 2016 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Smoothing Iron Production in Western Africa

In value terms, smoothing iron production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +4.9% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Smoothing Iron Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of electric smoothing irons increased by 5.6% to X units, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 124%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, smoothing iron exports shrank sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 157%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Sierra Leone (X units) was the main exporter of electric smoothing irons, committing 45% of total exports. Mali (X units) held a 20% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Senegal (16%), Nigeria (7.1%) and Ghana (6.9%). Liberia (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to smoothing iron exports from Sierra Leone stood at +17.9%. At the same time, Mali (+41.2%), Nigeria (+38.8%), Liberia (+23.1%) and Senegal (+10.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mali emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +41.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Ghana (-7.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Sierra Leone (+24 p.p.), Mali (+19 p.p.), Nigeria (+6.4 p.p.), Senegal (+3.3 p.p.) and Liberia (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Ghana (-20.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Mali ($X), Sierra Leone ($X) and Senegal ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 72% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Mali, with a CAGR of +43.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per unit in 2021, falling by -32.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 24%. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Nigeria ($X per unit), while Sierra Leone ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sierra Leone (+3.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Smoothing Iron Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of electric smoothing irons increased by 11% to X units, rising for the third year in a row after four years of decline. Over the period under review, imports posted a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 89% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, smoothing iron imports fell to $X in 2021. In general, imports enjoyed a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 68% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Ghana (X units) was the largest importer of electric smoothing irons, mixing up 53% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Nigeria (X units), Guinea (X units), Liberia (X units) and Sierra Leone (X units), together mixing up a 34% share of total imports. Cote d'Ivoire (X units) and Cabo Verde (X units) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to smoothing iron imports into Ghana stood at +10.3%. At the same time, Sierra Leone (+61.0%), Liberia (+48.6%), Guinea (+39.5%), Cabo Verde (+15.5%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Sierra Leone emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +61.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Nigeria (-3.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Ghana, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone increased by +9, +6.5, +6.5 and +5.3 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest smoothing iron importing markets in Western Africa were Ghana ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X), together comprising 83% of total imports. These countries were followed by Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cabo Verde, which together accounted for a further 9.6%.

Among the main importing countries, Sierra Leone, with a CAGR of +41.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 Western Africa stood at $X per unit in 2021, which is down by -17% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a slight reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per unit in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, 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 ($X per unit), while Liberia ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+6.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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