South Africa's export value in 2023 was almost double Nigeria's

In 2023, South Africa led Africa's exports with a value of $110.7 billion, nearly double Nigeria's $60.7 billion. Key exports include gems, vehicles, and mineral fuels.

The top 15 African exporters contribute 84% to the continent's trade, with South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt leading with a combined 52%.

Source:

World's Top Exports

Period:

2023
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Nigeria’s export mix stayed oil-heavy in 2025, with crude oil above 75% in all quarters
  • Crude oil dominated Nigeria’s exports in all quarters of 2025
  • Q1 recorded the highest oil dependency at 81.5%.
  • Non-oil exports peaked in Q2 at 24.2%, representing the strongest diversification point in 2025.
  • The oil share dropped to its lowest in Q2 (75.8%), but still remained dominant.
After three years of decline, China-Nigeria export trade hit a new peak of $24.9bn in 2025
  • Export value more than doubled from $9.72 billion in 2016 to $24.91 billion in 2025.
  • Trade rose steadily between 2016 and 2019, then surged sharply in 2021.
  • Exports declined for three consecutive years (2022–2024) after the 2021 peak.
  • 2025 marks the highest export value in the ten-year period.
China's top 10 African export destinations take about 66% of its exports to the continent in 2025
  • Nigeria leads by a clear margin, receiving the highest export value at $24.91bn.
  • Large, diversified economies dominate the top tier, with South Africa and Egypt ranking among the biggest destinations.
  • Resource-linked trade remains significant, with countries like Liberia and Algeria absorbing substantial export value.
  • Trade reach is geographically diverse, spanning West, East, and North Africa, including Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Morocco, and Guinea.
Post-pandemic trade reset lifts China–Africa exports to a record $225bn in 2025
  • Exports more than doubled in a decade, with trade rising from $92.27 billion in 2016 to $225 billion in 2025, a 144% increase.
  • The largest single jump occurred between 2020 and 2021, when exports surged by more than $34 billion.
  • From 2021 to 2024, exports climbed every year, reaching $178.91 billion before the latest surge.
  • The increase from $178.91 billion in 2024 to $225 billion in 2025 signals a new growth surge after several years of gradual increases.
Agricultural products led Kenya’s 2024 export economy, with coffee, tea, and spices generating $1.7 bn
  • Agriculture dominated Kenya’s exports, with coffee, tea, and spices alone contributing $1.7 billion, the largest single export category.
  • Mineral fuels were a surprisingly strong second, delivering $1.1 billion, and showing Kenya’s growing role in regional fuel distribution.
  • Horticultural exports (flowers, live plants, and trees) contributed $790 million, reinforcing Kenya’s global strength in floriculture.
  • All other export categories fall below $300 million individually, reflecting a long list of small but diverse export segments such as textiles, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals.
Mining led South Africa’s 2024 exports with 18.7%, as gems and precious metals generated over $20 bn
  • Gems and precious metals were the largest single export category, contributing $20.6 billion.
  • Ores and industrial minerals followed closely with $17.2 billion, showing the country’s reliance on mining.
  • Vehicles and machinery were significant non-mineral exports, with a combined $18.3 billion.
  • Agricultural and light industry products like fruits, nuts, and beverages contributed modestly, strengthening mining and manufacturing’s position as the core export drivers.
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