Africa's top five import countries collectively accounted for half of the continent's imports in 2022

African countries imported products worth $694 billion in 2022, with South Africa, the continent's leading importer, bringing in products worth $111.9 billion, representing 16.1% of the total. Egypt followed with $79.7 billion, constituting 11.5%.

Source:

World's Top Exports

Period:

2022
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Soybeans led the US' agricultural exports with $24.58 billion in 2024, accounting for 14% of the total export value
Key Takeaways:
  • Soybeans topped the US' agricultural exports in 2024, followed by corn and beef.
  • The top 10 agricultural commodities made up 56.6% of the total value of the US' agricultural exports.
  • Plant-based exports (soybeans, corn, tree nuts, soybean meal, wheat) contributed over 34% of the total agricultural export value.
  • The combined value of the top 10 exports exceeded $99.73 billion.
  • Animal proteins (beef, pork, and poultry) together represented 13.9% of total US agricultural exports.

Netherlands dominated with 18.6% of South African citrus exports in 2023, outpacing other countries
  • The Netherlands led with 18.6% of South Africa’s citrus exports in 2023.
  • The U.S. accounted for 5.8% of South Africa’s citrus exports, a small share compared to Europe and UAE.
  • South African citrus exports to the U.S. in 2023 was valued at $141 million.
  • Other markets, like the UK and UAE, played a larger role in South Africa’s citrus trade.
  • Market diversity may reduce the impact of the trending U.S. tariff on South Africa’s overall citrus export.

Djibouti's inflation peaked at 5.18% in 2022, its highest in a decade
  • Djibouti’s inflation reached a peak in 2022, with 5.18%, the highest in the past decade.
  • The lowest inflation rate occurred in 2015, with a negative value of -0.85%.
  • From 2014 to 2023, Djibouti experienced fluctuating inflation, with increases in 2016, 2019, and 2022.
  • Between 2022 and 2023, inflation decreased from 5.18% to 1.50%.
  • The year 2018 saw the lowest inflation among positive rates, with a modest 0.15%.
  • The overall trend shows periodic inflation spikes, particularly in 2016, 2019, and 2022, while other years maintained relatively stable or lower inflation.

88% of Nigeria's 2024 exports came from crude oil and co., 5.73% from agriculture
Key Takeaways:
  • Petroleum products (crude oil and other oil products) dominated Nigeria's export landscape in 2024, accounting for 88.26% of total export value.
  • Agricultural exports contributed 5.73% to export value, despite Nigeria's significant agricultural potential.
  • The manufacturing sector made up just 2.95% of the total export value.
  • Nigeria’s total export value reached ₦77.44 trillion in 2024 from ₦35.96 trillion in 2023.
  • Non-oil sectors collectively made up less than 12% of export value.

Crude oil leads Nigeria’s global exports with 68.87% share, while refined petroleum products (motor spirit, gas oil) top its imports at over 27%
Key Takeaways:
  • Crude oil remains Nigeria’s largest export, while refined petroleum products lead imports.
  • Natural gas ranks as the second-largest export, contributing 9.71% of the total export value.
  • The top five imported products account for 32.28% of Nigeria’s global imports.
  • The top ten exports represent over 95% of Nigeria’s total export value.

In Q4 2024, more than 98% of exports and 90% of imports were transported through maritime
Key Takeaways:
  • Maritime transport dominated Nigeria’s international trade in Q4 2024, accounting for 98.79% of total exports and 90.15% of total imports.
  • Air transport contributed significantly to imports (9.03%) but played a minimal role in exports (0.64%).
  • Road and other transport modes made negligible contributions to both imports and exports.
  • Total trade across all transport modes reached ₦36.6 trillion, resulting in a positive trade balance.

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