CEMAC Steel Market

CEMAC Steel Market Size

The CEMAC steel market was estimated at USD 5.9 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow from USD 6.1 billion in 2025 to USD 9.2 billion in 2034, at a CAGR of 4.7%.

The growth of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) region continues to accelerate because of increased infrastructure spending, which has, in turn, advanced the development of the steel market. The region’s member states including Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Republic of Congo are actively modernizing and steadily increasing government funded construction activities aimed at enhancing public infrastructure facilities, which has resulted in the growth of steel consumption in the region.

The growth of these regions is being propelled by various factors such as the extension of various forms of transportation, increasing the erecting of energy plants, as well as rapid building of urban settlements. This advancement comes with enormous requirements in steel for associated public infrastructure and connectivity improvements. Wherever infrastructure development is taking place, there is an inherent increase in local steel production; simultaneously, there are increased steel imports to meet demand. As described by the African Development Bank, funding for infrastructure development in the last 5 years has increased by 15% every year, showcasing the regions efforts in improving infrastructure.

The CEMAC region has advanced the growth of the steel industry through a combination of supportive government policies and trade agreements. The focus on industrialization and the diversification of the economy has further initiated a lot of investments into the steel industry, which has seen a 12% annual increase in production since 2019 as reported by the CEMAC Commission. With such policies in place, this region is likely to continue enjoying this upward trend for the remaining part of the forecast period.

Moreover, the specific focus on industrial capacity building in the region complements its overarching economic goals. CEMAC countries are actively working to enhance their infrastructure and industrial development to bolster their economies, lessen their reliance on imported goods and services, as well as foster a more self-sufficient industrial ecosystem. This will increase self-sustainability not only aids the development of the steel industry but further establishes the region as an industrial powerhouse in Africa.

CEMAC Steel Market Trends

• One change in this area is the emphasis on ‘greener’ forms of production in steel manufacturing. There is a shift to the use of technologies that mitigate carbon emissions and enhance energy use effectiveness because of the increasing project or country wide focus on the environment. The World Steel Association claims that the steel industry in the extractive and emerging economies is working towards reducing carbon emissions by 30 percent before 2030, which is a target the CEMAC countries are supporting.
  
• At the same time, there is greater demand for premium steel, tailored for specific industrial purposes, in the region. This demand is driven by the construction boom in the region, coupled with the rapid Infrastructural development. In Central Africa, the African Development Bank forecasts a steady 5% growth in infrastructure investment over the next decade which will increase the need for quality steel.
  

CEMAC Steel Market Analysis

• The CEMAC steel market by steel product type is segmented into steel rebar and structural steel and others.
  
• Structural steel held the dominant market of USD 2.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 4.4 billion by 2034.
  
• The use of structural steel is on the rise in CEMAC regions because it serves well for multilingual, construction, and engineering projects. As the CEMAC region continues its focus on urbanization and improving infrastructure, there is an accompanying expansion of investment on industrial development which explains the demand for structural steel.
  
• The use of structural steel by the member countries of African Architect Union CEMAC has increased 15% yearly over the past five years. With this trend, there is increased construction in durable structures such as bridges, skyscrapers, and large industrial buildings which can withstand heavy loads, thereby propelling the market growth. 
  

• The CEMAC steel market by end use is segmented into residential construction, commercial construction, industrial construction and infrastructure.
  
• The industrial construction accounted for a market share of around 67.5% in 2024 and is projected to grow by 2034.
  
• The CEMAC steel market captivates attention due to the multifunction nature of structural usage steel which has a higher degree class of strength and firmness. Because of these attributes, it remains unmatched in construction works and infrastructural development.
  
• There has been a notable increment in the demand for structural steel due to the ongoing efforts to urbanize, enhance transport facilities and develop industrial centers in the CEMAC region.
  
• The usage of Structural steel has risen by fifteen percent yearly in the last five years per the estimates of the African Union of Architects. Structural steel’s resistance to heavy stress and extreme weather makes it the material of choice for bridges, tall buildings, and large industrial facilities.
  

• In the CEMAC region, Cameroon captured the steel market with revenues of approximately USD 1.2 billion in 2024, and a projected CAGR of 5.5% for the years 2025 to 2034. In Cameroon, there are positive prospects for growth in the steel sector, driven by the increasing public infrastructure investments and economic diversification efforts of the country.
  
• As reported by the Ministry of Public Works, the government is planning to spend more than USD 1 billion on infrastructure spending in 2024 on roads, bridges, ports, and urban housing which all help to increase the steel demand. Moreover, the Cameroon Construction Industry Association cites a 15% yearly increase on the construction industry coming from a combination of public and private sector funding, which increases this demand.
  
• Republic of Congo: Steel Market in CEMAC Republic of Congo, reported around USD 816.9 million in the year 2023 with a CAGR of 4.7% in the forecasting year from 2025 to 2034. The steel industry growth in Republic of Congo is considerable due to a focus on both the infrastructure development and the diversification of the economy.
  
• Some of the notable investments are in the transportation sector like roads, railways – ports, and urban construction which increases the appetite for steel. USD 1.2 billion was set aside by the government in 2023 for transportation projects according to The Congolese Ministry of Infrastructure. In addition, further government initiatives to upgrade and expand the energy sector, especially the oil and gas infrastructure, is increasing the appetite for steel. The National Oil Company increased expenditures on oil and gas infrastructure by 15% last year.
  
• Central African Republic: The Central African Republic captured sales revenue of approximately USD 1 billion in 2024 with a forecasted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% for the period 2024 to 2032. With a strong focus on improving transportation networks, urban construction, and industrialization, the demand for steel is witnessing a significant increase. Central African Republic's Ministry of Public Works reported that infrastructure investments have grown by 15% over the last year.
  
• In addition, the efforts directed towards the reconstruction of the energy infrastructure are supporting this demand. Despite the political instability and logistical challenges, government measures to stimulate domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign goods tends to support expansion of the steel industry.
  

CEMAC Steel Market Share

The CEMAC steel industry is fragmented, with prominent players, such as African Foundries Limited, Metafrique Group, Nippon Steel Corporation, Lake Group, Zamil Steel, holding a market share of 5%-10%.

• In the CEMAC steel market, Metafrique group has the largest share due to its comprehensive product portfolio.
  
• Metafrique Group is a prominent player in the CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Community) steel market. Metafrique specializes in manufacturing non-ferrous products like aluminium, lead, and copper, as well as TMT-grade rebars ranging from 8mm to 32mm, catering to various construction needs.
  

CEMAC Steel Market Companies

Major players operating in the CEMAC steel industry are:

• African Foundries Limited
• Bangui Metal Fabricators
• Bimbo Steel Production
• Good Time Steel
• Kankan Iron and Steel
• Lake Group
• LES ACIERIES DU CAMEROUN SARL
• Metafrique Group
• METALCO
• Nippon Steel Corporation
• Sotrafer SARL
• Trimble Inc.
• Yaoundé Steel Manufacturing
• Zamil Steel
• Zenith Steel Fabricators LTD  
  

CEMAC Steel Industry News

• In January 2024, African Foundries Limited said it will put 50 million dollars in Nigeria to increase steel production capacity. They opened a new product line for the construction industry in August 2023, and in March 2023, they posted an increase in annual earnings of 10 percent.
  
• In 2023, Bangui Metal Fabricators has been awarded a government contract in November 2023 for the supply of steel for the construction of the Central African Republic major bridge.
  
• In 2023, to reduce carbon footprints, Bimbo Steel Production announced the launch of their green steel product line in Eastern Africa.
  

This CEMAC steel market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Billion) and volume (Thousand Tons) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Steel Product Type

• Steel Rebar
  • CRS (Corrosion Resistant TMT Bars)
  • Earthquake Resistant TMT Bars
  • Ribbed TMT Bars
  • Micro-alloyed TMT Bars
  • Low-relaxation TMT Bars
  • Dual-grade TMT Bar
• Structural Steel
  • Heavy Structural Steel
    • Angle (L Shaped)
    •  Bearig Pile (H Shaped)
    • Channel (C Shaped)
    •  I Beam (I Shaped)
    •  Tee (T Shaped)
    • Pipe
    • Hollow Steel Section
      •  Square Hollow Section
      •  Rectangular Hollow Section
      • Circular Hollow Section
  • Light Structural Steel
    • Angle (L Shaped)
    •  Bearig Pile (H Shaped)
    • Channel (C Shaped)
    •  I Beam (I Shaped)
    •  Tee (T Shaped)
    • Pipe
    • Hollow Steel Section
      •  Square Hollow Section
      •  Rectangular Hollow Section
      • Circular Hollow Section
• Others

Market, By Grade

• Steel Rebar (TMT Bar) 
  • Fe 415
  • Fe 500
  • Fe 550
  • Fe 600
• Structural Steel
  • ASTM A36
  • ASTM A572
  • ASTM A992
  • ASTM A500
  • EN 10025
  • BS 4360
  • JIS G3101
  • DIN 17100
• Others

Market, By Thickness

• Steel Rebar (TMT Bar)
• 8mm -12mm
• 12mm – 16mm
• 16mm – 25mm
• 25mm – 32mm
• 32mm – 50mm

Market, By End Use

• Residential Construction
• Commercial Construction
  • Institutions
  •  Offices
  • Health Building
  • Others
• Industrial Construction
  • Building Construction
  • Industrial Structures
  •  Marine Applications
  • Heavy Equipment
  • Automotive
  • Others
• Infrastructure
  • Dam & Water Channels
  • Bridges and Roadways
  • Transportation Facilities
  • Others

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct
• Indirect

The above information is provided for the following countries:

• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Equatorial Guinea
• Gabon
• Republic of Congo