Mar 6, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: Africa – Handbags – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The handbag market in Africa is poised for significant growth over the next decade, fueled by rising demand. Market volume is forecasted to increase by +1.4% to 281M units, while market value is expected to grow by +2.6% to $2.7B by the end of 2035.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for handbags in Africa, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 281M units by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.7B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
Africa’s Consumption of Handbags
In 2024, approx. 240M units of handbags were consumed in Africa; with an increase of 5% against 2023 figures. The total consumption indicated noticeable growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -2.6% against 2022 indices. The volume of consumption peaked at 246M units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
The size of the handbag market in Africa rose remarkably to $2B in 2024, with an increase of 7.2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption showed a strong expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $2.2B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Ethiopia (64M units), South Africa (44M units) and Kenya (28M units), with a combined 57% share of total consumption. Madagascar, Cameroon, Angola, Chad, Rwanda, Tunisia and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Egypt (with a CAGR of +14.9%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest handbag markets in Africa were Ethiopia ($699M), Chad ($527M) and Tunisia ($261M), with a combined 73% share of the total market.
Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +11.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of handbag per capita consumption in 2024 were South Africa (716 units per 1000 persons), Rwanda (533 units per 1000 persons) and Madagascar (522 units per 1000 persons).
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Egypt (with a CAGR of +12.7%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Production
Africa’s Production of Handbags
In 2024, approx. 162M units of handbags were produced in Africa; increasing by 5% compared with 2023 figures. The total production indicated a pronounced expansion from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -4.5% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the production volume increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 170M units. From 2023 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, handbag production expanded sharply to $2B in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production enjoyed a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $2.1B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
Production By Country
Ethiopia (63M units) remains the largest handbag producing country in Africa, comprising approx. 39% of total volume. Moreover, handbag production in Ethiopia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Kenya (27M units), twofold. Madagascar (16M units) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9.8% share.
In Ethiopia, handbag production expanded at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kenya (+6.7% per year) and Madagascar (+1.9% per year).
Imports
Africa’s Imports of Handbags
Handbag imports expanded modestly to 83M units in 2024, with an increase of 3.2% against the year before. Total imports indicated a notable expansion from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 45%. The volume of import peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.
In value terms, handbag imports reached $303M in 2024. Total imports indicated temperate growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +90.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 47%. The level of import peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.
Imports By Country
South Africa prevails in imports structure, amounting to 47M units, which was near 57% of total imports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Egypt (6.2M units) and Guinea (4.2M units), together achieving a 13% share of total imports. The following importers – Angola (3.6M units), Algeria (2.4M units), Mauritius (2.3M units), Morocco (1.9M units), Ethiopia (1.6M units), Ghana (1.4M units) and Uganda (1.3M units) – together made up 17% of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, average annual rates of growth with regard to handbag imports into South Africa stood at +9.1%. At the same time, Guinea (+19.0%), Egypt (+14.9%), Ghana (+6.6%), Angola (+5.8%), Morocco (+4.9%), Ethiopia (+4.3%) and Mauritius (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guinea emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +19.0% from 2013-2024. Uganda experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Algeria (-2.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of South Africa, Egypt and Guinea increased by +22, +4.9 and +3.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, the largest handbag importing markets in Africa were South Africa ($77M), Morocco ($39M) and Algeria ($12M), with a combined 42% share of total imports. Guinea, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Mauritius, Angola and Uganda lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.
Among the main importing countries, Guinea, with a CAGR of +11.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports By Type
Handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials was the largest type of handbags in Africa, with the volume of imports recording 62M units, which was approx. 75% of total imports in 2024. Handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (13M units) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather (9.4%).
Imports of handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather (+12.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +12.2% from 2013-2024. Handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2013 to 2024, the share of handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather and handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials increased by +5.1 and +4.7 percentage points, respectively.
In value terms, handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials ($173M) constitutes the largest type of handbags imported in Africa, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard ($68M), with a 23% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials imports stood at +5.9%. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (+3.0% per year) and handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather (+4.8% per year).
Import Prices By Type
In 2024, the import price in Africa amounted to $3.7 per unit, picking up by 9.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the import price increased by 14%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $4 per unit. From 2015 to 2024, the import prices failed to regain momentum.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather ($7.9 per unit), while the price for handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials ($2.8 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (+3.0%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.
Import Prices By Country
The import price in Africa stood at $3.7 per unit in 2024, picking up by 9.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 14% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $4 per unit. From 2015 to 2024, the import prices remained at a lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($20 per unit), while Angola ($695 per thousand units) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Algeria (+12.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
Africa’s Exports of Handbags
In 2024, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of handbags, when their volume decreased by -17.2% to 5.5M units. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at 6.7M units in 2023, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.
In value terms, handbag exports dropped to $90M in 2024. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 24%. The level of export peaked at $101M in 2023, and then shrank in the following year.
Exports By Country
South Africa represented the major exporter of handbags in Africa, with the volume of exports amounting to 2.3M units, which was approx. 43% of total exports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Morocco (1,251K units), Tunisia (908K units) and Mauritius (410K units), together making up a 46% share of total exports. Ethiopia (158K units), Rwanda (88K units) and Ghana (84K units) took a relatively small share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Ghana (with a CAGR of +38.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Tunisia ($34M), Morocco ($26M) and South Africa ($13M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, with a combined 81% share of total exports. Mauritius, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Ghana lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.
Among the main exporting countries, Rwanda, with a CAGR of +23.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports By Type
In 2024, handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials (2.5M units) and handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather (2.2M units) were the main types of handbags in Africa, together reaching approx. 84% of total exports. It was distantly followed by handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (894K units), committing a 16% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials (with a CAGR of +9.2%), while shipments for the other products experienced a decline in the exports figures.
In value terms, handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather ($63M) remains the largest type of handbags supplied in Africa, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials ($15M), with a 17% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather exports was relatively modest. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials (+10.4% per year) and handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (+3.3% per year).
Export Prices By Type
In 2024, the export price in Africa amounted to $16 per unit, increasing by 7.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 48%. The level of export peaked at $18 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather ($29 per unit), while the average price for exports of handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials ($6.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (+3.8%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
The export price in Africa stood at $16 per unit in 2024, increasing by 7.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $18 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the export prices failed to regain momentum.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($37 per unit), while Ghana ($1.6 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ethiopia (+19.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
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