Paper and paperboard waste market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for paper and paperboard waste in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced fluctuations. In 2018, the market stood at 1 469 thousand tons, supported by legislative bans on non-recyclable plastic bags and packaging in several countries, which boosted demand for paper and cardboard as alternative materials. The following year saw a slight stabilization around 1 447 thousand tons. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and waste collection, contributing to a further stabilization at 1 440 thousand tons. A notable contraction occurred in 2021, with the market volume falling to 1 323 thousand tons.

The market rebounded in 2022, reaching 1 473 thousand tons, a level comparable to 2018. This recovery was driven by rising paper and cardboard consumption across Africa, which peaked at 14 million tons that year, and the entry of new players into sustainable packaging segments, responding to growing demand for eco-friendly solutions. In 2023, the market volume declined again to 1 393 thousand tons. During this period, regulatory measures for waste management were strengthened in countries like South Africa, and major industry players such as Sappi Limited invested in converting facilities to produce more sustainable packaging papers.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Sub-Saharan Africa's production of paper and paperboard waste has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 443 thousand tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 5.3% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 668 thousand tonnes, with that year seeing a 7.2% increase. However, the largest drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 8.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of paper and paperboard waste production in Sub-Saharan Africa has now declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, output was valued at 163.0 million US dollars, representing an 18.1% decrease from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 41.5%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -16.4%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of paper and paperboard waste from Sub-Saharan Africa have fallen for the second straight year. In 2020, the region exported 131.8 thousand tonnes, which is a substantial 11.1% decline compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 27.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 10.2%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 280.6 thousand tonnes, which saw a 54.3% increase. In contrast, the sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with exports falling by 47.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the top buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Sub-Saharan Africa were India, Thailand, and Vietnam. India accounted for 40.2% of exports in volume, Thailand for 10.4%, and Vietnam for 8.8%. Together, these three countries represented 59.4% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of paper and paperboard waste exports from Sub-Saharan Africa has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 14 883 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong 23.0% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value fell by 54.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 23.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 36 145 thousand US dollars, which saw an 11.0% increase. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 46.5% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key export partners for paper and paperboard waste from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms were India, Thailand, and China. India led with 44.6% of export value, followed by Thailand at 14.1%, and China at 6.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of paper and paperboard waste into Sub-Saharan Africa showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 70.8 thousand tonnes, but then surged to 128.6 thousand tonnes in 2020, an 81.5% increase year-over-year. This created a 1.8-fold difference between the two years. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 30.9% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of paper and paperboard waste into Sub-Saharan Africa were relatively evenly distributed among various sources. The top three suppliers were China with 18.7% of import volume, India with 12.4%, and the United Arab Emirates with 4.5%. Together, they accounted for only 35.6% of total imports, reflecting a fragmented market.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of paper and paperboard waste imports into Sub-Saharan Africa has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value totaled 20 102 thousand US dollars, showing a solid 16.4% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 35%, which equates to an average annual decline of 13.4%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, there was no single dominant market for paper and paperboard waste imports into Sub-Saharan Africa. The top three sources in value terms were China with 29.6%, the United Arab Emirates with 7.6%, and the United States with 6.5%. Combined, they represented only 43.7% of total imports, with many smaller partners each holding modest shares.

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

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