Market research

Ethyl alcohol market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the ethyl alcohol market in Sub-Saharan Africa saw initial growth followed by a moderate contraction. The market volume increased to 763 million liters in 2019, supported by rising industrial and fuel demand as well as national policies promoting ethanol use in fuel blends, particularly in Nigeria and South Africa. The introduction of ethanol blending programs in key countries further stimulated consumption. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted general economic activity, leading to a slight volume decline to 737 million liters, although demand for sanitizing and disinfectant products provided a counterbalance and helped drive a significant increase in market value to 641 million USD. The period also saw increased investments in production capacity and the entry of new players.

Market volume dropped sharply to 639 million liters in 2021, primarily due to a substantial fall in imports. This coincided with regulatory changes that facilitated local production and distribution, including labeling and traceability rules, and the reinstatement of ethanol blending mandates such as South Africa's move to E10 and Nigeria's launch of an E10 mandate. In 2022, the market recovered to 668 million liters, aided by consolidated demand for industrial and fuel applications and adjustments in market access policies that improved local competitiveness.

The market contracted again to 624 million liters in 2023 despite increased production capacity through technological optimizations. Higher export volumes and ongoing import shifts affected domestic availability. Regulatory measures, including specific labeling and quality control requirements, continued to shape the market. In 2024, regulatory changes in key countries further promoted ethanol use in fuels and sanitary products, while premiumization trends in alcoholic beverages sustained demand for high-purity ethyl alcohol.

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, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2018-2023, M l
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M l
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, M l
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, M l
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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/K l
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, M l
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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/K l
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, M l
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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/K l
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, M l
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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/K l
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, M l
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, M l
  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 ethyl alcohol in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In Sub-Saharan Africa, ethyl alcohol production reached 453.4 million liters in 2020, representing a 6.7% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 4.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 486.1 million liters, with the largest year-on-year increase of 3.6% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.2%)	3.6%	(6.7%)	(1.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, ethyl alcohol production in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a downturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 330.2 million US dollars, marking a 2.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 11.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 337.2 million US dollars, while the largest increase of 6.7% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.7%	6.3%	(2.0%)	3.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports ethyl alcohol from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, M l

Ethyl alcohol exports from Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 280.5 million liters, reflecting a 9.4% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.2%)	(7.4%)	(9.4%)	(5.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, ethyl alcohol exports from Sub-Saharan Africa were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 11.0% of exports, Singapore for 8.6%, and the United States for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 26.8% 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 Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Ethyl alcohol shipments from Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 204.3 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 4.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 2.6%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 226.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.0% drop.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.8%	(5.0%)	(4.9%)	(0.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

The structure of ethyl alcohol exports by value from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified partner base. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 8.0% of export value, Singapore for 6.2%, and the United States for 5.7%. Combined, these three markets represented only 19.9% of total flows, while the remaining 80.1% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports ethyl alcohol to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, M l

After two years of growth, ethyl alcohol imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined. In 2020, imports stood at 384.7 million liters, reflecting a sharp decrease of 34.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 22.5%, averaging an annual decline of 8.1%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 586.9 million liters, while the largest increase of 14.1% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.1%	3.6%	(34.4%)	(8.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Analysis of ethyl alcohol imports by volume from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across multiple markets. The United States accounted for 21.9% of imports, India for 13.1%, and Pakistan for 8.8%. Together, these three countries represented 43.8% of total import flows, with the remaining 56.2% coming from various other partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's ethyl alcohol imports were valued at 515.1 million US dollars, representing a substantial increase of 16.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 26.2%, averaging an annual increase of 8.1%. The only decline during this period occurred in 2019 with a 1.2% decrease.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.8%	(1.2%)	16.4%	8.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated ethyl alcohol imports by value with a 29.6% share, followed by India at 13.7% and Pakistan at 8.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.6% of total import value during this period.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io