Africa's crude steel production has seen a notable increase in the first five months of 2024, with Egypt at the forefront of this growth. According to recent data, the continent's total crude steel output rose by 5.4% year-on-year, reaching 9.18 million tonnes compared to 8.7 million tonnes in the same period of 2023.
Egypt, the continent's leading steel producer, demonstrated impressive growth with a 13.3% year-on-year increase in production. The country's output reached 4.48 million tonnes, up from 3.95 million tonnes in the previous year.
This significant surge in Egypt's steel production has been a key driver of Africa's overall growth in the sector.
The positive trend in Africa's steel industry is further supported by the latest data from the World Steel Association (worldsteel). In May 2024 alone, Africa produced 1.8 million tonnes of crude steel, marking a 0.9% increase compared to May 2023. This consistent growth throughout the year underscores the region's expanding role in global steel production.
While Egypt has been the primary force behind this growth, other African countries have also contributed to the continent's rising steel output. The collective effort of six African nations reporting to worldsteel has resulted in this notable increase, highlighting the region's growing importance in the global steel market.
As Africa continues to strengthen its position in the steel industry, Egypt's performance serves as a benchmark for other countries in the region, potentially inspiring further growth and development in the continent's steel sector.