Western Africa: Graphic Papers Market 2025

Graphic Papers Market Size in Western Africa

In 2022, the West African graphic papers market increased by 56% to $X, rising for the sixth consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, consumption saw resilient growth. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Graphic Papers Production in Western Africa

In value terms, graphic papers production declined sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a dramatic contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 7,638,380%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Graphic Papers Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of graphic papers decreased by -15.3% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 67% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, graphic papers exports shrank rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Ghana dominates exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 84% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Sierra Leone (X tons), mixing up a 4.9% share of total exports. The following exporters - Nigeria (X tons), Togo (X tons) and Senegal (X tons) - together made up 8.8% of total exports.

Ghana was also the fastest-growing in terms of the graphic papers exports, with a CAGR of +11.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Sierra Leone (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Togo (-3.8%), Nigeria (-6.4%) and Senegal (-7.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Ghana (+55 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Senegal and Nigeria saw its share reduced by -3% and -3.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) remains the largest graphic papers supplier in Western Africa, comprising 76% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Sierra Leone ($X), with an 8.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Nigeria, with a 5.6% share.

In Ghana, graphic papers exports increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Sierra Leone (+3.6% per year) and Nigeria (-10.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a noticeable descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sierra Leone ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Graphic Papers Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of graphic papers increased by 36% to X tons, rising for the sixth consecutive year after three years of decline. Total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% 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 +105.4% against 2016 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, graphic papers imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a strong increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Nigeria dominates imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 80% of total imports in 2022. Ghana (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 8.4% share, followed by Cote d'Ivoire (5.1%).

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the graphic papers imports, with a CAGR of +8.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Cote d'Ivoire (+6.0%) and Ghana (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Nigeria (+11 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Ghana saw its share reduced by -5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported graphic papers in Western Africa, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 5.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Nigeria amounted to +10.1%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ghana (+1.1% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+4.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 16% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a mild increase. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+1.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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