Mar 2, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: Africa - Household And Sanitary Articles of Paper - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The article discusses the expected upward consumption trend in the paper market in Africa driven by the demand for household and sanitary articles. Market performance is forecasted to decelerate but still expand with a CAGR of +1.7% in volume and +2.8% in value from 2024 to 2035, reaching 21M tons and $51.1B respectively by the end of 2035.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for household and sanitary articles of paper in Africa, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 21M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $51.1B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
Africa's Consumption of Household and Sanitary Articles of Paper
In 2024, approx. 18M tons of household and sanitary articles of paper were consumed in Africa; approximately reflecting the previous year. The total consumption indicated a perceptible expansion from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -0.6% against 2021 indices. The volume of consumption peaked at 18M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
The revenue of the market for household and sanitary articles of paper in Africa shrank modestly to $37.7B in 2024, standing approx. at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $37.8B in 2023, and then dropped in the following year.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Nigeria (2.5M tons), Ethiopia (2.2M tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (1.7M tons), together accounting for 37% of total consumption.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +7.4%), while paper for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Ethiopia ($6.3B), Nigeria ($5B) and Egypt ($2.7B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2024, with a combined 37% share of the total market. Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Algeria, Madagascar and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.
Among the main consuming countries, Uganda, with a CAGR of +7.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while paper for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of household and sanitary articles of paper per capita consumption in 2024 were Ethiopia (18 kg per person), Democratic Republic of the Congo (17 kg per person) and Uganda (17 kg per person).
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +4.1%), while paper for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Production
Africa's Production of Household and Sanitary Articles of Paper
In 2024, production of household and sanitary articles of paper in Africa dropped to 18M tons, approximately equating 2023. The total production indicated tangible growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -0.6% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production of attained the maximum volume at 18M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, production of household and sanitary articles of paper totaled $36.8B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production of reached the maximum level at $36.9B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Nigeria (2.5M tons), Ethiopia (2.2M tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (1.7M tons), with a combined 37% share of total production.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +7.4%), while paper for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports
Africa's Imports of Household and Sanitary Articles of Paper
In 2024, imports of household and sanitary articles of paper in Africa dropped modestly to 127K tons, with a decrease of -1.9% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports saw a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 9.9%. The volume of import peaked at 368K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, imports of household and sanitary articles of paper shrank to $262M in 2024. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 17%. The level of import peaked at $547M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Morocco (16K tons), followed by Ghana (8.9K tons), Botswana (8.2K tons), South Africa (7.2K tons), Namibia (6.9K tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (5.8K tons) were the key importers of household and sanitary articles of paper, together making up 42% of total imports. Libya (5.2K tons), Zimbabwe (4.6K tons), Congo (4.1K tons) and Mozambique (3.9K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Zimbabwe (with a CAGR of +17.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Morocco ($45M) constitutes the largest market for imported household and sanitary articles of paper in Africa, comprising 17% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Botswana ($18M), with a 6.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 5.6% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Morocco totaled -7.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Botswana (+1.7% per year) and Namibia (+1.7% per year).
Import Prices By Country
The import price in Africa stood at $2,066 per ton in 2024, declining by -6% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 47% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $2,197 per ton in 2023, and then reduced in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($2,720 per ton), while Ghana ($739 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+6.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
Africa's Exports of Household and Sanitary Articles of Paper
In 2024, shipments abroad of household and sanitary articles of paper was finally on the rise to reach 86K tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, saw a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 10%. The volume of export peaked at 181K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, exports of household and sanitary articles of paper reached $175M in 2024. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 11%. The level of export peaked at $370M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
South Africa (33K tons) and Egypt (25K tons) represented roughly 67% of total exports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Togo (6.8K tons), Cote d'Ivoire (5K tons), Ghana (4.7K tons) and Kenya (4.5K tons), together committing a 25% share of total exports. Algeria (3.1K tons) and Tunisia (1.3K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Togo (with a CAGR of +61.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, South Africa ($71M), Egypt ($60M) and Cote d'Ivoire ($12M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, together comprising 82% of total exports. Kenya, Algeria, Togo, Tunisia and Ghana lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.
Togo, with a CAGR of +35.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries 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 Africa stood at $2,040 per ton in 2024, declining by -4.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by 12%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $2,142 per ton in 2023, and then reduced in the following year.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($2,460 per ton), while Togo ($517 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
