Western Africa: Expanded Metal Market 2025

Expanded Metal Market Size in Western Africa

After three years of growth, the West African expanded metal market decreased by -8.6% to $X in 2022. The total consumption indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +15.4% against 2017 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Expanded Metal Production in Western Africa

In value terms, expanded metal production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 31%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Metal Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of iron or steel expanded metal were exported in Western Africa; declining by -23.2% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 1,898% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, expanded metal exports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 635%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ghana was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 72% of total exports. Senegal (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 11% share, followed by Burkina Faso (5.8%) and Cote d'Ivoire (4.8%). The following exporters - Togo (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) - each recorded a 6.1% share of total exports.

Exports from Ghana decreased at an average annual rate of -3.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Senegal (+35.1%), Cote d'Ivoire (+32.8%), Nigeria (+24.5%) and Togo (+6.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +35.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Burkina Faso (-8.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Senegal (+11 p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (+4.6 p.p.), Nigeria (+2.5 p.p.) and Togo (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Burkina Faso and Ghana saw its share reduced by -5.2% and -12.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) remains the largest expanded metal supplier in Western Africa, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Senegal ($X), with a 23% share of total exports. It was followed by Burkina Faso, with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Ghana amounted to -6.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Senegal (+30.5% per year) and Burkina Faso (-3.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a mild decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 71% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Expanded Metal Imports

Imports in Western Africa

After three years of growth, purchases abroad of iron or steel expanded metal decreased by -26.7% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 61%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then fell sharply in the following year.

In value terms, expanded metal imports dropped significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, posted a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 75% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Senegal (X tons), distantly followed by Niger (X tons), Togo (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons), Mauritania (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) represented the key importers of iron or steel expanded metal, together creating 86% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Niger (with a CAGR of +55.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Senegal ($X), Cote d'Ivoire ($X) and Ghana ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 56% share of total imports. Niger, Togo, Mauritania and Burkina Faso lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

Niger, with a CAGR of +31.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, waning by -3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 26%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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