Western Africa: Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Market 2025

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Market Size in Western Africa

After three years of growth, the West African non-alloy steel u-section market decreased by -11% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption recorded a perceptible slump. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Production in Western Africa

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a perceptible downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 6.4%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, the amount of u-sections of non-alloy steel exported in Western Africa shrank sharply to X tons, which is down by -20.1% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 91% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section exports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a moderate increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 72%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Senegal (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) were the largest exporters of u-sections of non-alloy steel in Western Africa, together generating 61% of total exports. Nigeria (X tons) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Togo (12%) and Mali (7.8%).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Togo (with a CAGR of +48.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-alloy steel u-section supplying countries in Western Africa were Senegal ($X), Ghana ($X) and Nigeria ($X), together comprising 75% of total exports. Togo and Mali lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Togo, with a CAGR of +62.3%, saw 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

In 2022, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -9.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 33% 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 lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Mali ($X per ton) and Togo ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) and Nigeria ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (+9.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, imports of u-sections of non-alloy steel in Western Africa declined markedly to X tons, which is down by -19.8% against 2021 figures. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 86% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section imports dropped rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 97%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Ghana represented the largest importer of u-sections of non-alloy steel in Western Africa, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 46% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Senegal (X tons), Guinea (X tons) and Mali (X tons), together constituting a 41% share of total imports. Mauritania (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to non-alloy steel u-section imports into Ghana stood at +12.6%. At the same time, Guinea (+35.1%), Mauritania (+10.0%), Cote d'Ivoire (+6.1%) and Senegal (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guinea emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +35.1% from 2012-2022. Mali experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Nigeria (-25.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania increased by +33, +8.6, +7.2, +3.7 and +2.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported u-sections of non-alloy steel in Western Africa, comprising 44% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Cote d'Ivoire ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Senegal, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Ghana amounted to +11.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Cote d'Ivoire (+4.1% per year) and Senegal (+3.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -5.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a slight descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 31%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Nigeria ($X per ton) and Mauritania ($X per ton), while Mali ($X per ton) and Ghana ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritania (+0.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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