Africa bitumen Market is Estimated to Witness Growth Owing to Growing Infrastructure Development & Increasing Investment in Road Construction
Africa bitumen market is estimated to be valued at US$ 586.7 Mn in 2024, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period (2024-2031). The market is driven by the growing infrastructure development activities and government initiatives toward road construction in several African countries. Furthermore, increasing investment in road connectivity projects from public as well as private players is also expected to boost the consumption of bitumen in the region.
Market Dynamics:
The growth of the Africa bitumen market is propelled by increasing investment in road infrastructure projects from various governments and private construction companies across the African continent. Majority of African countries are focusing on improving road connectivity to support economic development. For instance, several projects under the China-Africa Cooperation Forum are expanding bitumen road networks in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. Moreover, growing demand for better transportation of goods and services due to rising industrialization and urbanization is also fueling the consumption of bitumen for road construction. However, volatility in crude oil prices remains a key challenge for market players as bitumen is derived from crude oil distillation. Fluctuations in feedstock costs directly impact the bitumen prices.
Increasing demand for road infrastructure projects is driving the Africa bitumen market
One of the major drivers for the Africa bitumen market is the increasing demand for road infrastructure projects across many African countries. Bitumen is a key raw material used in road construction as it is used to bind aggregate materials together to form asphalt for paving roads, highways and other infrastructure. Many African governments are investing heavily in upgrading and expanding their road networks to improve transportation and connectivity. Countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Egypt and Ethiopia have ambitious plans to build new roads, highways and bridges which is increasing the demand for bitumen. As per industry reports, the growing road construction activities in Africa are expected to drive the consumption of bitumen by over 5% annually in the coming years. The large-scale road projects will support the growth of the bitumen market in this region.
Growing refining capacity additions is another driver of the market
The increasing refining capacity additions across Africa is another major driver for the continent's bitumen market. Several new refinery projects have come online or are under construction which will boost bitumen production. Countries with large oil reserves like Nigeria and Angola are focusing on expanding their refining capabilities. For example, Dangote Refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day coming up in Nigeria by 2022 will significantly raise the domestic supply of bitumen. Similarly, Egypt is expanding its refineries to meet the rising demand. The higher crude oil refining outputs will directly impact bitumen supply positively and support the growth of the African bitumen industry.
Infrastructure funding issues pose a challenge
One of the key restraints for the Africa bitumen market is funding issues related to large infrastructure projects. While there is substantial demand for road construction, many African governments face budgetary constraints to fund these capital-intensive development plans. Insufficient financial resources can potentially slow down road building activities and thus impact the consumption of bitumen. International financing is required but not always forthcoming. Project delays due to funds crunch pose a threat to the steady growth of the bitumen market. Industry experts believe that assured funding mechanisms are required to overcome this restraint and realize the infrastructure potential in Africa.
Supply chain disruptions affect market negatively
Supply chain disruptions arising due to political and economic instability in certain African countries pose another restraint. Issues like conflicts, sanctions, frequent changes in trade policies and stringent import regulations negatively impact the smooth supply of bitumen within the region. For example, recent policies around local content requirements in Nigeria's downstream oil sector have caused disruptions. Furthermore, inadequate transportation and storage infrastructure in many nations also affects efficient bitumen distribution. Such unstable supply chain environment adds challenges and acts as a short-term restraint for the African bitumen market. Overcoming infrastructure bottlenecks will help mitigate this problem.
Growing oil production to offer market opportunities
One of the key opportunities for growth in the Africa bitumen market comes from the rising crude oil production levels across the continent. Countries like Nigeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya and Algeria have substantial oil reserves and are increasing exploration and extraction activities. The higher output will not only boost regional supplies but also raise refining throughputs. As bitumen is a refinery by-product, its production is directly linked to crude processing volumes. Therefore, the augmented crude production provides a solid opportunity to expand bitumen manufacturing and consumption in both domestic and export markets.
Population growth driving infrastructure spending
Another opportunity arises from Africa's growing population which is expected to double the global average by 2050. This rapid rise in numbers will increase demand for housing, transportation and other infrastructure over the coming decades. It will drive higher investments into road networks, housing projects, industrial developments and more to support the needs of a booming population. All of these construction activities will require large quantities of bitumen, presenting a lucrative opportunity to meet the binder requirements. Sustainable population growth is likely to continue propelling bitumen demand across the African region.
Link: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/africa-bitumen-market-4899
Key Developments:
- In March 2022, FFS Refiners, a prominent South Africa-based petroleum company, entered into a 12-month agreement with Rubis Asphalt South Africa, a leading provider of bitumen products, to offer Rubis 4,700 cubic meters of tank storage at FFS Refiners' facility in the Port of Cape Town for reliable and safe bitumen storage and handling. This partnership is expected to bolster the supply chain for hot bitumen in the Western Cape region, supporting the growing needs of the asphalt and road construction industry.
- In February 2024, Colas S.A., a leading global player in road construction and maintenance, merged with a regional contractor to augment its service offerings in bitumen application. This strategic merger aims to reinforce Colas S.A.'s capabilities in delivering high-quality bitumen solutions, further solidifying its position in the market.
- In June 2023, Sasol Limited, a leading integrated energy and chemical company based in South Africa, introduced a new eco-friendly bitumen product designed to minimize environmental impact. This innovative product aligns with Sasol's commitment to sustainability and aims to fulfill the growing demand for environmentally responsible construction materials.
- In January 2023, Nynas, a leading producer of bitumen and naphthenic specialty products, expanded its bitumen production capacity in South Africa to cater to the increasing demand for high-quality road construction materials. This strategic move aligns with Nynas' commitment to supporting the development of sustainable infrastructure in the region.
- In September 2022, BP, a leading global energy company, partnered with an African government to support infrastructure development projects aimed at enhancing the region's economic growth. This collaboration reflects BP's commitment to investing in sustainable energy solutions and infrastructure improvements across Africa.
Key Player:
TotalEnergies SE, Shell Bitumen, BP plc, ExxonMobil, Colas S.A., Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Nynas AB, Sinopec Limited, Sasol Limited, Bitumina Industry and Trade Inc., African Bitumen Manufacturers (ABM), Karpowership, Tarmac, H.B. Fuller Company, and CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V.
