Western Africa: Newsprint Market 2025

Newsprint Market Size in Western Africa

The West African newsprint market declined modestly to $X in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Newsprint Production in Western Africa

In value terms, newsprint production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a precipitous curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 1,238,200% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Newsprint Exports

Exports in Western Africa

Newsprint exports reduced to X tons in 2022, which is down by -5.7% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 66% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, newsprint exports contracted sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 70% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Senegal (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) dominates exports structure, together comprising 83% of total exports. Sierra Leone (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 7.7% share, followed by Cote d'Ivoire (5.7%). Ghana (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +13.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Senegal ($X) remains the largest newsprint supplier in Western Africa, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Nigeria ($X), with a 23% share of total exports. It was followed by Sierra Leone, with a 4.7% share.

In Senegal, newsprint exports shrank by an average annual rate of -1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Nigeria (+3.5% per year) and Sierra Leone (-11.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -16.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the export price increased by 34% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($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 (+3.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Newsprint Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of newsprint was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 6.4%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, newsprint imports expanded slightly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, faced a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Ghana represented the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 41% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Nigeria (X tons), Senegal (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Mauritania (X tons), together making up a 52% share of total imports. The following importers - Burkina Faso (X tons) and Mali (X tons) - each accounted for a 3.5% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to newsprint imports into Ghana stood at -7.0%. At the same time, Senegal (+3.8%) and Mauritania (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +3.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Burkina Faso (-1.4%), Mali (-5.7%), Cote d'Ivoire (-7.4%) and Nigeria (-17.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Senegal (+13 p.p.), Ghana (+8.7 p.p.), Mauritania (+4.7 p.p.) and Cote d'Ivoire (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Nigeria (-30.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest newsprint importing markets in Western Africa were Nigeria ($X), Ghana ($X) and Senegal ($X), together comprising 74% of total imports.

Senegal, with a CAGR of +2.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 2% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a mild decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 30%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the 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 ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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