Western Africa: Technical Textiles Market 2025

Technical Textiles Market Size in Western Africa

After two years of growth, the West African technical textiles market decreased by -6.5% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Technical Textiles Production in Western Africa

In value terms, technical textiles production shrank modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 16%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Technical Textiles Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, after four years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of textile products and articles for technical uses, when their volume increased by 56% to X tons. In general, exports enjoyed a perceptible expansion. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, technical textiles exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 108%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Nigeria (X tons) represented the key exporter of textile products and articles for technical uses, creating 44% of total exports. Burkina Faso (X tons) took a 28% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Sierra Leone (14%). Senegal (X kg), Guinea-Bissau (X kg), Ghana (X kg) and Cote d'Ivoire (X kg) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Guinea-Bissau (with a CAGR of +58.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Sierra Leone ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Burkina Faso ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 82% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Guinea-Bissau, which together accounted for a further 11%.

Among the main exporting countries, Guinea-Bissau, with a CAGR of +32.5%, recorded 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 ton in 2021, shrinking by -28.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded noticeable growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 112% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Sierra Leone ($X per ton), while Guinea-Bissau ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Technical Textiles Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of textile products and articles for technical uses were imported in Western Africa; with an increase of 25% on the year before. Overall, imports posted a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 154% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, technical textiles imports soared to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +95.1% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 56%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Nigeria dominates imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 61% of total imports in 2021. Senegal (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 9.5% share, followed by Guinea (9.2%) and Ghana (9.1%). Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +21.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Senegal (+30.3%), Guinea (+8.8%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+6.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +30.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Ghana (-3.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Nigeria and Senegal increased by +34 and +7.3 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported textile products and articles for technical uses in Western Africa, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Cote d'Ivoire, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Nigeria totaled +10.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (+6.1% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+6.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 5.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 53% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 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 Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+10.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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