Western Africa: Tobacco Market 2025

Tobacco Market Size in Western Africa

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in the West African tobacco market, when its value decreased by -4.3% to $X. In general, consumption saw a slight decline. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Tobacco Production in Western Africa

In value terms, tobacco production contracted slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Tobacco Exports

Exports in Western Africa

Tobacco exports shrank to X tons in 2021, waning by -10.8% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports continue to indicate a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, tobacco exports rose modestly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) represented the key exporter of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff), committing 78% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Senegal (X tons), generating a 17% share of total exports. The following exporters - Burkina Faso (X tons) and Niger (X tons) - each accounted for a 3.7% share of total exports.

Exports from Cote d'Ivoire decreased at an average annual rate of -1.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Burkina Faso (+121.0%) and Niger (+119.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Burkina Faso emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +121.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Senegal (-6.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Cote d'Ivoire (+2.7 p.p.), Burkina Faso (+2.1 p.p.) and Niger (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Senegal (-8.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Cote d'Ivoire ($X) remains the largest tobacco supplier in Western Africa, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Senegal ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Burkina Faso, with a 1.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Cote d'Ivoire amounted to +2.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Senegal (-8.8% per year) and Burkina Faso (+156.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 17% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. As a result, the export 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 exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Niger ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+15.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Tobacco Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff), when their volume decreased by -34.3% to X tons. In general, imports, however, saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 323% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell significantly in the following year.

In value terms, tobacco imports contracted to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 679% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Imports by Country

Burkina Faso represented the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which recorded 46% of total imports. Nigeria (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Mauritania (X tons), Senegal (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 48% share of total imports. Guinea (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Burkina Faso was also the fastest-growing in terms of the tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) imports, with a CAGR of +217.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Mauritania (+45.9%), Nigeria (+34.0%), Guinea (+31.9%), Cote d'Ivoire (+24.9%) and Senegal (+7.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Nigeria increased by +46, +9.8 and +7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Burkina Faso ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in Western Africa, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mauritania ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Senegal, with a 5.8% share.

In Burkina Faso, tobacco imports expanded at an average annual rate of +284.0% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mauritania (+78.2% per year) and Senegal (+8.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 36% against the previous year. Import price indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, tobacco import price increased by +47.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the import price increased by 84% against the previous year. The level of import peaked 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 Burkina Faso ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritania (+22.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :