Market research

Coal market in ECOWAS

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"ECOWAS" region includes following countries:

Benin

Burkina Faso

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Côte d'Ivoire

Cabo Verde

Liberia

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the coal market in ECOWAS experienced fluctuations, starting at 4.5 million tonnes in 2018, edging up to 4.6 million tonnes in 2019, then declining to 4.1 million tonnes in 2020 before a modest recovery to 4.2 million tonnes in 2021.

In 2022, market volume surged by 16.8% to reach 4.9 million tonnes. This sharp increase was propelled by the global energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which boosted worldwide demand for thermal coal in power generation. Additionally, Indonesia’s export ban in early 2022 pushed international coal prices to record highs, incentivizing higher production within the ECOWAS region.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in ECOWAS
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2018-2022, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production coal in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

ECOWAS coal production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 2,598 thousand tons of coal, marking a significant 11.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 2,949 thousand tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 15.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.1%	1.2%	(11.9%)	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports coal from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2020 at 0.1 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 20 thousand tons, representing a 338-fold difference. The 2020 figure represented a dramatic 99.7% decline from the previous year. The largest percentage increase was recorded in 2019 at 6,501.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(84.3%)	6 501.7%	(99.7%)	(68.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon consistently held the largest share of physical coal exports from ECOWAS, accounting for 1.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values demonstrated notable volatility throughout the observed period. The peak-to-trough difference between 2019 and 2020 was substantial at 375 times. In 2020, coal exports from ECOWAS amounted to $0.0 million, representing a sharp 99.7% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at $2.4 million, while the largest percentage increase occurred that same year at 278.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	160.3%	278.6%	(99.7%)	(70.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon and the Netherlands together accounted for 20.0% of total coal export value from ECOWAS, establishing them as the primary markets for the region's coal exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports coal to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, K t

ECOWAS coal imports declined following two years of growth. In 2020, the region imported 1,501 thousand tons of coal, representing a 9.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 19.1%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 6.0%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,650 thousand tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 29.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	29.1%	1.4%	(9.0%)	6.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (45.4% of physical imports), Russia (19.8%), and the United States (15.3%) consistently dominated ECOWAS coal imports, together accounting for 80.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

ECOWAS coal import values declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately $113.1 million worth of coal, representing a 22.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 5.5%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at $167.1 million, while the largest percentage increase occurred that same year at 39.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	39.7%	(12.3%)	(22.8%)	(1.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa (47.9% of import value), Russia (17.2%), and the United States (17.0%) served as the main suppliers of coal to ECOWAS, together comprising 82.0% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io