Africa’s Leather Apparel Market to Grow at CAGR of +0.9% until 2035, Reaching $2.3B in Value

Market Forecast 

Driven by growing demand, the African market for leather and composition leather apparel is expected to see steady growth over the next decade. Forecasts show a positive trend in both volume and value, with a projected increase in market volume to 28M units and market value to $2.3B by 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.3B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Africa’s Consumption of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather

For the fourth year in a row, Africa recorded growth in consumption of apparel of leather or of composition leather, which increased by 0.5% to 25M units in 2024. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 2.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption reached the maximum volume in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in years to come. The value of the leather apparel market in Africa was estimated at $2B in 2024, leveling off 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 +1.1% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the market value increased by 6.6%. The level of consumption peaked in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Nigeria (3.8M units), Ethiopia (2.6M units) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (2.3M units), with a combined 35% share of total consumption. From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +2.1%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. In value terms, the largest leather apparel markets in Africa were Nigeria ($320M), Ethiopia ($268M) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($194M), with a combined 39% share of the total market. Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, Algeria, South Africa, Somalia and Uganda lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +2.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. The countries with the highest levels of leather apparel per capita consumption in 2024 were Somalia (34 units per 1000 persons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (23 units per 1000 persons) and Tanzania (21 units per 1000 persons). From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Somalia (with a CAGR of -0.8%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Africa’s Production of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather

In 2024, leather apparel production in Africa stood at 25M units, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 2.4% against the previous year. The volume of production peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in years to come. In value terms, leather apparel production reached $2B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 7.8%. The level of production peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Nigeria (3.7M units), Ethiopia (2.5M units) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (2.3M units), with a combined 35% share of total production. Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Algeria, Mozambique and Somalia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%. From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Tanzania (with a CAGR of +2.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Africa’s Imports of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather

In 2024, overseas purchases of apparel of leather or of composition leather decreased by -5% to 452K units, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 37%. The volume of import peaked at 919K units in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure. In value terms, leather apparel imports stood at $8.4M in 2024. Over the period under review, imports recorded a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 43%. The level of import peaked at $16M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2024, Nigeria (97K units), distantly followed by Namibia (44K units), Togo (33K units), Tunisia (30K units) and Angola (28K units) were the major importers of apparel of leather or of composition leather, together making up 52% of total imports. The following importers – Cameroon (20K units), South Africa (20K units), Burkina Faso (18K units), Ghana (16K units) and Mauritania (16K units) – each reached a 20% share of total imports. Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +10.3% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Mauritania (+57.6%), Togo (+57.0%), Burkina Faso (+31.9%), Cameroon (+20.6%), Ghana (+15.9%) and Namibia (+7.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +57.6% from 2013-2024. Angola experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Tunisia (-7.6%) and South Africa (-24.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+17 p.p.), Togo (+7.4 p.p.), Namibia (+7.4 p.p.), Cameroon (+4.2 p.p.), Burkina Faso (+3.9 p.p.), Mauritania (+3.5 p.p.), Ghana (+3.2 p.p.) and Angola (+2.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Tunisia and South Africa saw its share reduced by -2.2% and -47.9% from 2013 to 2024, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($2.6M) constitutes the largest market for imported apparel of leather or of composition leather in Africa, comprising 30% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tunisia ($638K), with a 7.6% share of total imports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 7.5% share. From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa stood at -6.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tunisia (-7.5% per year) and Namibia (+7.5% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2024, the import price in Africa amounted to $19 per unit, growing by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 44%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $22 per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum. Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($130 per unit), while Togo ($1.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest. From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+23.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Africa’s Exports of Apparel Of Leather Of Composition Leather

In 2024, overseas shipments of apparel of leather or of composition leather decreased by -1.9% to 260K units, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at 1.1M units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure. In value terms, leather apparel exports declined to $12M in 2024. In general, exports recorded a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 19%. The level of export peaked at $31M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2024, Tunisia (147K units) represented the major exporter of apparel of leather or of composition leather, mixing up 57% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (45K units), Morocco (38K units) and Cote d’Ivoire (14K units), together creating a 37% share of total exports. Mauritius (8.3K units) followed a long way behind the leaders. From 2013 to 2024, average annual rates of growth with regard to leather apparel exports from Tunisia stood at -1.5%. At the same time, Cote d’Ivoire (+15.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cote d’Ivoire emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +15.1% from 2013-2024. By contrast, South Africa (-8.4%), Morocco (-9.4%) and Mauritius (-19.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Tunisia (+37 p.p.), Cote d’Ivoire (+5.1 p.p.), South Africa (+4 p.p.) and Morocco (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Mauritius saw its share reduced by -6.4% from 2013 to 2024, respectively. In value terms, the largest leather apparel supplying countries in Africa were Morocco ($5.2M), Tunisia ($3.7M) and Mauritius ($1.7M), together accounting for 88% of total exports. South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 9.4%. Among the main exporting countries, Cote d’Ivoire, with a CAGR of +14.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices By Country In 2024, the export price in Africa amounted to $46 per unit, which is down by -13.3% against the previous year. Export price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 31%. The level of export peaked at $54 per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure. Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mauritius ($203 per unit), while Cote d’Ivoire ($18 per unit) was amongst the lowest. From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+7.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: https://www.indexbox.io/blog/leather-apparel-africa-market-overview-2024/