Western Africa: Lithium Carbonate Market 2025

Lithium Carbonate Market Size in Western Africa

For the sixth consecutive year, the West African lithium carbonate market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 67% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption enjoyed prominent growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Lithium Carbonate Production in Western Africa

In value terms, lithium carbonate production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lithium Carbonate Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of lithium carbonates increased by 13% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 535% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lithium carbonate exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 581%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the one major exporters of lithium carbonates, namely Sierra Leone, represented more than two-thirds of total export.

Sierra Leone was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lithium carbonates exports, with a CAGR of +16.3% from 2012 to 2021. Sierra Leone (+52 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Sierra Leone ($X) also remains the largest lithium carbonate supplier in Western Africa.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Sierra Leone amounted to +8.2%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -4.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a slight setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 351% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for Sierra Leone.

From 2012 to 2021, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Sierra Leone amounted to -6.9% per year.

Lithium Carbonate Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of lithium carbonates, when their volume increased by 20% to X tons. In general, imports, however, saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 87%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports fell slightly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 118% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Senegal (X tons) was the largest importer of lithium carbonates, achieving 52% of total imports. Nigeria (X kg) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Ghana (16%) and Sierra Leone (12%). Cote d'Ivoire (X kg) held a little share of total imports.

Senegal was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lithium carbonates imports, with a CAGR of +75.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Ghana (+42.2%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+25.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Sierra Leone experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Nigeria (-28.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Senegal (+52 p.p.), Ghana (+16 p.p.), Sierra Leone (+12 p.p.) and Cote d'Ivoire (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Nigeria saw its share reduced by -70.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Senegal ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Ghana ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 77% share of total imports.

Senegal, with a CAGR of +50.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of 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

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -19.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+11.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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