Slide of the month (SOTM) September. Agricultural exports from Africa

One of the most vital sectors in Africa is agriculture because it provides employment for more than half of the population and food. The continent also has the most unutilized arable land in the world.

africon has executed many projects in the farming sector in the last decade. One common question we receive from our clients is about the exports of agricultural products from Africa to other parts of the world. Our findings reveal that, Cote d’Ivoire is the top country exporting cocoa, nuts, rubber and fruits. South Africa, Ghana and Kenya also follow, each country with its product category mix. The top exports from Africa are coffee, tea, cocoa, and cotton & Europe has been a principal landing place for this produce.

Many African governments have prioritized the growth of the agriculture sector. The rapidly growing population and economic activities in additional industrial sectors pose an excellent opportunity for international firms.

africon provides international companies a comprehension of the market challenges and offers solutions to position these companies optimally. We devise market strategies and give recommendations to companies interested in key markets in Africa.

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here.

Slide of the month (SOTM) August. Beer production in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) July. The growth of consumer markets in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) June. Blood transfusion landscape in Tanzania

Slide of the month (SOTM) May. Construction projects in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) April. Demand for heavy machinery in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) August. Beer production in Africa

Despite the economic downturn fuelled by the pandemic, international companies have been looking for opportunities in Africa’s $13 billion beer market. African brewers have strengthened their facilities in terms of capacity and heightened marketing efforts in 2021 and 2022, making Africa one of the fastest-growing beer markets.

africon conducted a multi-country market analysis for a European food ingredient manufacturing company interested in Africa’s food and drink industry. The project sought to highlight the market potentials for different segments and feature opportunities in the food & beverage industry. In our research, we investigated beer production on the continent. Five African countries made it to the top 40 beer-producing countries, alongside nations like China, Australia, and Germany. These were South Africa (#12), Nigeria (#20), Angola (# 31), Ethiopia (#35), and Cameroon (#36). Africa beer production grew by 7.3% from 2020 to 2021.

For our client, we sized the market, identified vital partners, and provided recommendations for future partnerships and sales efforts in selected countries.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us at info@africon.de

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here.

Slide of the month (SOTM) July. The growth of consumer markets in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) June. Blood transfusion landscape in Tanzania

Slide of the month (SOTM) May. Construction projects in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) April. Demand for heavy machinery in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) March. Tanzania medical technology value chain

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) July. The growth of consumer markets in Africa

africon has attended hundreds of events, conferences, and webinars. Our sector experts speak and provide thought leadership in some of these forums. In a recent webinar, we presented the opportunities for German companies in Africa. One of our slides focused on the growth of consumer markets in the continent.
Over the past 10-20 years, consumer goods markets in Africa have become increasingly interesting for international companies. Urban populations are growing rapidly across Africa, driving modernization and economic development. More than 34 countries now have an urbanization rate above 40%. Total consumer spending has increased sharply, which indicates an increasing demand for consumer goods and services and a higher propensity to consume. The growing middle class in most African countries like to shop in their free time and value brands for their high quality. As a result, the expansion of retail chains and other outlets has developed strongly in Africa. This poses an opportunity for companies in the sector.
At the end of the webinar, we presented some case studies and gave strategic recommendations for companies interested in key markets in Africa.

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here.

Slide of the month (SOTM) June. Blood transfusion landscape in Tanzania

Slide of the month (SOTM) May. Construction projects in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) April. Demand for heavy machinery in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) March. Tanzania medical technology value chain

Slide of the month (SOTM) February. Vehicles in operation in East African countries

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) January. Estimated number of converters in select countries in Africa

 

Estimated number of converters in select countries in Africa

The printing industry in Africa is growing, although a few global players dominate the industry. We had shared another Slide of the Month (SOTM) that gave more insights into the Printing industry in West Africa.

After carrying out many projects in Africa’s printing and packaging industry, we have collected lots of data over the years. We recently worked on a large printing machine supplier’s project to analyze the sector to find potential liaisons and clients.

Our research analyzed the number of converters in select countries in Africa. We chose countries based on a range of specific weighted factors relevant to the research. The findings were that South Africa tops the list with 60 converters, followed by Egypt with 50. The slide also shows the data for the other countries.

These findings helped us to rate different markets for the clients. It also enabled us to identify prospective partners and clients thereby reducing their costs, risk, and time when setting up in the continent.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us at info@africon.de

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here.

Slide of the month (SOTM) December. The dairy industry in Ghana

Slide of the month (SOTM) November. Government health care expenditure in East Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) October. The printing industry in West Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) September. The Nigerian rail industry

Slide of the month (SOTM) August. The Nigerian automotive industry

 

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) December. The dairy industry in Ghana

A considerable amount of prominent global players dominate the food and beverage industry in Africa. africon did a market analysis for an European food company interested in understanding the industry in Ghana. The aim of the project was to understand the different segments and to find areas of opportunities. In our research, we looked at the dairy industry in Ghana. We found out that the market is dominated by imported processed products. Per capita milk consumption is low at 8 kg compared to Africa’s average of 35 kg. Based on the findings, africon was able to provide an overview of the application industry for our client and give strategic recommendations. We identified key players and partners to provide direction for future sales efforts in the region.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us at info@africon.de

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here.

Slide of the month (SOTM) November. Government health care expenditure in East Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) October. The printing industry in West Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) September. The Nigerian rail industry

Slide of the month (SOTM) August. The Nigerian automotive industry

Slide of the month (SOTM) July. The age of vehicles in operation in Nigeria

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) October. The printing industry in West Africa

A handful of prominent global players dominate the printing industry in Africa. The continent has significant potential with an overall printing machine market of about USD 850 million. While some African markets such as South Africa, Egypt, or Nigeria have established printing industries, smaller countries remain unserved.

africon was contracted by a large printing machine supplier to analyze the printing sector and to identify leading firms and distributors of printing machines in West Africa. The goal was to find the most appropriate partners and potential customers for the client.

Therefore we conducted primary and secondary research. While analyzing country information and industry reports, we researched several contacts and ran screening interviews. We generated a shortlist of approximately ten potential distributors or partners. We organized a business trip, with the client to meet these companies and gain valuable insights on the ground. After the trip and by the end of this project, the client understood West Africa’s position in the printing machinery market. They got new sales leads and choose one local partner out of two shortlisted ones fulfilling their requirements and showing strong interest in a long-term cooperation.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us at info@africon.de

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here.

Slide of the month (SOTM) September. The Nigerian rail industry

Slide of the month (SOTM) August. The Nigerian automotive industry

Slide of the month (SOTM) July. The age of vehicles in operation in Nigeria

Slide of the month (SOTM) June. Labtech imports in East Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) May: The logistics sector in Rwanda and Ethiopia

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) December. The food, beverage and tobacco manufacturing industry in Nigeria

Prior to the Covid outbreak, manufacturing in Nigeria had been recovering from the 2016 recession, even though the sector still faces various challenges, such as intermittent power supply, infrastructural deficits, forex shortage and Naira devaluation. africon did a market analysis for a European food ingredient manufacturing company interested in understanding the industry in Nigeria. The project aim was to understand potentials in various market segments and to ultimately determine scale and scope of opportunities for our client. Within our research, we found that the food, beverage and tobacco sectors account for 38% of all manufacturing output in Nigeria. We were furthermore able to share the size of the market and identify key players and partners to provide direction for future sales efforts in the region.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us at info@africon.de

Read other SOTMs (Slides of the month) here.

Slide of the month (SOTM) November. The construction industry in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) October. The meat & fish sector in Nigeria

Slide of the month (SOTM) September. The soft drinks market in Kenya

Slide of the month (SOTM) August. Steel demand in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) July. The future of Africa’s independent automotive aftermarkets

 

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) October. The meat & fish sector in Nigeria

A specific question that emerged in one of our recent projects in the food industry was how the meat sector in Nigeria looks like and whether it was a suitable target industry for our client. africon answered this question through a combination of industry knowledge from our experts on the ground, local research, as well as a comprehensive analysis of trade statistics. Our findings revealed that in Nigeria, most people consume red meat on the day they purchase it from open air market stalls, and only a small fraction is refrigerated. Fish in Nigeria is primarily traded live, fresh, frozen or smoked. However, 90% of the broiler chicken is slaughtered, processed and sold frozen. These findings, among others, helped us to rate various target markets for our client in comparison to each other. It laid the groundwork for africon to identify potential customers and partners for our client, therefore reducing cost, time and risk for them.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us at info@africon.de

Read other SOTMs (Slides of the month) here.

Slide of the month (SOTM) September. The soft drinks market in Kenya

Slide of the month (SOTM) August. Steel demand in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) July. The future of Africa’s independent automotive aftermarkets

Slide of the month (SOTM) June. Consumer goods across Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) May. Glass production in Africa

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) September. The soft drinks market in Kenya

The soft drinks market in Kenya comprises of carbonates, water and juices. africon did an analysis for a chemicals manufacturer to understand the industry in depth. One of the key learnings from this project was that Coca Cola dominates this market. Consumers are knowledgeable about the market and there exists a strong brand loyalty. Based on the findings, africon was able to provide an overview on soft drinks manufacturing as an application industry for our client and give strategic recommendations.

If you have any questions or concerns on the soft drinks market in Kenya, you can contact us at info@africon.de

Read other SOTMs (Slides of the month) here.

Slide of the month (SOTM) August. Steel demand in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) July. The future of Africa’s independent automotive aftermarkets

Slide of the month (SOTM) June. Consumer goods across Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) May. Glass production in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) April. The sugar industry in East Africa

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) June. Consumer goods across Africa

Consumer goods markets in Africa have over the past 10-20 years become increasingly interesting for international companies. Growing overall populations and especially the growing middle class have motivated companies from around the world to expand their footprint on the continent. One learning during this process is that Africa is more diverse than previously assumed.

This slide gives an interesting example: consumer goods in Algeria are usually sold through a distribution network that resembles that of some European countries. In Ethiopia on the other hand, a vast variety of products first passes through “Merkato Market”, a relatively chaotic but hugely important trading centre in the capital Addis Ababa. Further differences between the two markets exist in the type of products traded along these networks, the profiles of companies active in them and in many more areas. For all key African countries, these differences need to be understood and their impacts taken into consideration when building up structures as a foreign company.

Read other SOTMs (Slides of the month) here.

Slide of the month (SOTM) May. Glass production in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) April. The sugar industry in East Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) March. The rope manufacturing industry in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) February. Obtaining finance in Côte d’Ivoire

Slide of the month (SOTM) January. Internet speeds across Africa