Coal market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The coal market in Western Africa demonstrated notable volatility in volume from 2018 to 2022. It began at 4 541 thousand tons in 2018 and saw a marginal increase to 4 579 thousand tons in 2019. A significant contraction followed in 2020, with the market falling to 4 099 thousand tons. A partial recovery to 4 178 thousand tons occurred in 2021, before a strong expansion in 2022 lifted the market volume to 4 880 thousand tons.

In the latter part of the period, the regional context was shaped by coal's role as a key energy source, though its development faced constraints. Infrastructure challenges, such as water scarcity and remote mining basins requiring rail links, limited exploitation. Simultaneously, new initiatives emerged, including experiments in Côte d'Ivoire to produce green coal from agricultural residues. Furthermore, the landscape for new coal-fired power projects shifted due to China's cessation of overseas coal power financing, which contributed to a decline in planned plants across West and Central Africa.

Production coal in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Western Africa's coal production experienced a two-year rise before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 2 949 thousand tonnes. However, by 2020, it had fallen to 2 598 thousand tonnes, representing a significant decrease of 11.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 15.1%.

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

Exports coal from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their minimum in 2020 at 0.1 thousand tonnes, which marked a dramatic decline of 99.7% from the previous year. In contrast, the maximum was recorded in 2019 at 20 thousand tonnes, representing a 338-fold difference between these two years. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports surging by 6 501.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon remained the key partner for Western Africa's coal exports in kind, accounting for 1.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports peaked in 2019 at 2.4 million US dollars but dropped sharply to 0.0 million US dollars in 2020, marking an abrupt reduction of 99.7% over the past year. This represents a 375-fold shift between these two years. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with exports rising by 278.6%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Cameroon and the Netherlands were the main destinations for Western Africa's coal exports in value terms, together accounting for 20.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports coal to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, Western Africa's coal imports declined. In 2019, imports reached their maximum at 1 650 thousand tonnes, but by 2020, they had fallen to 1 501 thousand tonnes, down by 9.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 22.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when imports rose by 32.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Russia, and the United States formed the key group of partners for Western Africa's coal imports in kind. South Africa accounted for 45.4% of imports, Russia for 19.8%, and the United States for 15.3%. Together, they represented 80.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign coal supplies to Western Africa declined for the second consecutive year. Imports reached their peak in 2018 at 167.1 million US dollars but fell to 113.1 million US dollars in 2020, showing a drop of 22.8% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with imports rising by 39.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Russia, and the United States played the leading roles in Western Africa's coal imports in value terms. South Africa accounted for 47.9% of imports, Russia for 17.2%, and the United States for 17.0%. Collectively, they took 82.0% of total flows.

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

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