Africa's Imports Skyrocket, as South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria Lead the Pack

Africa is one of the fastest growing consumer markets in the world, as consumer expenditure on the continent has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.9 per cent since 2010. According to the African Growth Initiate at Brookings, consumer expenditure is projected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2025, and $2.5 trillion by 2030.

In other to cater for the demand of the growing demographic in Africa, most African countries plug the demand gaps through imports. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, “Africa imported about 85% of its food only (2016-2018) from outside the continent,” amounting to $35bn and is expected to reach $110bn by 2025.

In the article, we analysed countries in Africa with the largest import values in 2021. Here are some of the top African countries with the largest imports. 

• South Africa - $93.5 billion
• Egypt - $73.8 billion
• Nigeria - $55.1 billion
• Kenya - $19.6 billion
• Tanzania - $10.9 billion
• Senegal - $9.7 billion
• Mauritius - $5.2 billion
• Burkina Faso - $4.7 billion
• Benin - $3.2 billion
• Togo - $2.9 billion

1. South Africa ($93.5 billion)

South Africa’s main imports are machinery (23.5 per cent of total imports), mineral products (15.1 per cent), vehicles and aircraft vessels (10 per cent), chemicals (10.9 per cent), equipment components (8.1 per cent) and iron and steel products (5.3 per cent).  

Its main trading partners are China (18.3 per cent), Germany (11.5 per cent), the United States (6.6 per cent), India (4.7 per cent), Saudi Arabia (4.6 per cent) and Japan (3.4 per cent). Others include: the UK, Thailand, Italy, and France.

2. Egypt ($73.8 billion)

Egypt imports mainly mineral and chemical products (25 per cent of total imports), agricultural products, livestock, and foodstuff (24 per cent, mainly wheat, maize and meat), machinery and electrical equipment (15 per cent) and base metals (13 per cent). Other imports include raw hides, wood, paper-making products, textiles, and footwear (9.5 per cent), artificial resins and rubber (6 per cent) and vehicles and aircraft (5.5 per cent). 

Its main import partners are Germany, Italy, China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lebanon, United States, and India.

3. Nigeria ($55.1 billion)

Nigeria imports mainly premium motor spirits, industrial supplies, capital goods, food and beverage, fuel and lubricants, transport equipment and parts, telephone sets, including telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks and consumer goods.

Its main import partners are Asia, Europe, America, and few countries in Africa.

4. Kenya ($19.6 billion)

Kenya imports machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics, palm oil and transmission apparatus for radiobroadcasting or televisions.

Kenya’s main import partners are India, China, UAE, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, United States and Japan.

5. Tanzania ($10.9 billion)

Tanzania imports mostly transport equipment, machinery, constructions materials, oil, fertilizers, industrial raw materials, and consumer goods. 

Its main imports partners are China, India, South Africa, Kenya, and United Arab Emirates.

6. Senegal ($9.7 billion)

Senegal’s main import is fuel (24 per cent of total exports) followed by capital equipment, tobacco, and foodstuffs. Main import partner is France (13 per cent of total imports), as well as Argentina, Cote d’Ivoire, Thailand, and the United States.

7. Mauritius ($5.2 billion)

Mauritius’ mainly imports oil, manufactured goods, capital equipment and food. Mauritius’ main import partners are India, China, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and France.

8. Burkina Faso ($4.7 billion)

Burkina Faso’s main imports are, fuel (25 per cent of total imports), foodstuffs and machinery. Burkina Faso’s main import partners are: Ivory Coast, United States, Japan, China, France, Belgium and Germany.

9. Benin ($3.2 billion)

Benin mainly imports fuel, food, and capital equipment. Benin’s main import partner is France (18 per cent of total imports) followed by China (15 per cent), as well as Togo, Ghana, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.

10. Togo ($2.9 billion)

The top imports of Togo are Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, rice, and transmission apparatus for radiobroadcasting or television.

Togo's main partner is France (18 per cent of total imports), as well as China, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ghana and Japan.