Imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries): Imports of goods and services was 616.44 billion current US$ in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
616.44 billion current US$
Change on year
up 8.2%
Rank
33rd
of 45 groups
All-time high
616.44 billion current US$
in 2025
All-time low
36.12 billion current US$
in 1976
Years of data
50
1976–2025
Imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries), 1976–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs). Measured in current US$.
Analysis
Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) recorded 616.44 billion current US$ for imports of goods and services in 2025. That is the highest value across all 50 years on record.
The figure is up 8.2% on the previous year and up 42.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) peaked at 616.44 billion current US$ in 2025 and was at its lowest, 36.12 billion current US$, in 1976.
Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 33rd of 45 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries), year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 36.12 billion current US$ | — |
| 1977 | 38.84 billion current US$ | +7.5% |
| 1978 | 45.76 billion current US$ | +17.8% |
| 1979 | 55.42 billion current US$ | +21.1% |
| 1980 | 74.49 billion current US$ | +34.4% |
| 1981 | 79.08 billion current US$ | +6.2% |
| 1982 | 68.12 billion current US$ | -13.9% |
| 1983 | 60.00 billion current US$ | -11.9% |
| 1984 | 59.47 billion current US$ | -0.9% |
| 1985 | 52.41 billion current US$ | -11.9% |
| 1986 | 58.08 billion current US$ | +10.8% |
| 1987 | 67.10 billion current US$ | +15.5% |
| 1988 | 72.39 billion current US$ | +7.9% |
| 1989 | 74.12 billion current US$ | +2.4% |
| 1990 | 79.92 billion current US$ | +7.8% |
| 1991 | 83.28 billion current US$ | +4.2% |
| 1992 | 80.78 billion current US$ | -3.0% |
| 1993 | 79.11 billion current US$ | -2.1% |
| 1994 | 86.09 billion current US$ | +8.8% |
| 1995 | 104.40 billion current US$ | +21.3% |
| 1996 | 109.01 billion current US$ | +4.4% |
| 1997 | 113.09 billion current US$ | +3.7% |
| 1998 | 112.28 billion current US$ | -0.7% |
| 1999 | 106.79 billion current US$ | -4.9% |
| 2000 | 111.54 billion current US$ | +4.5% |
| 2001 | 107.92 billion current US$ | -3.2% |
| 2002 | 116.74 billion current US$ | +8.2% |
| 2003 | 144.17 billion current US$ | +23.5% |
| 2004 | 181.17 billion current US$ | +25.7% |
| 2005 | 218.11 billion current US$ | +20.4% |
| 2006 | 253.46 billion current US$ | +16.2% |
| 2007 | 317.71 billion current US$ | +25.3% |
| 2008 | 386.79 billion current US$ | +21.7% |
| 2009 | 340.44 billion current US$ | -12.0% |
| 2010 | 390.11 billion current US$ | +14.6% |
| 2011 | 458.52 billion current US$ | +17.5% |
| 2012 | 480.34 billion current US$ | +4.8% |
| 2013 | 502.63 billion current US$ | +4.6% |
| 2014 | 499.67 billion current US$ | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 431.68 billion current US$ | -13.6% |
| 2016 | 383.75 billion current US$ | -11.1% |
| 2017 | 420.27 billion current US$ | +9.5% |
| 2018 | 456.66 billion current US$ | +8.7% |
| 2019 | 445.49 billion current US$ | -2.4% |
| 2020 | 383.09 billion current US$ | -14.0% |
| 2021 | 477.17 billion current US$ | +24.6% |
| 2022 | 567.33 billion current US$ | +18.9% |
| 2023 | 557.60 billion current US$ | -1.7% |
| 2024 | 569.78 billion current US$ | +2.2% |
| 2025 | 616.44 billion current US$ | +8.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 44.04 billion current US$ | 36.12 billion current US$ | 55.42 billion current US$ | 4 |
| 1980s | 66.53 billion current US$ | 52.41 billion current US$ | 79.08 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 95.47 billion current US$ | 79.11 billion current US$ | 113.09 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 217.81 billion current US$ | 107.92 billion current US$ | 386.79 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 446.91 billion current US$ | 383.75 billion current US$ | 502.63 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 528.57 billion current US$ | 383.09 billion current US$ | 616.44 billion current US$ | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
- 30 Austria 303.17 billion current US$ compare
- 31 Indonesia 297.00 billion current US$ compare
- 32 Denmark 273.38 billion current US$ compare
- 33 Czechia 238.90 billion current US$ compare
- 34 Philippines 196.02 billion current US$ compare
- 35 Norway 178.76 billion current US$ compare
- 36 Romania 174.60 billion current US$ compare
More economy & growth data for Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 5.26 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current US$) 7.79 % change on previous year (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (constant 2015 US$) 246.12 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (constant 2015 US$) 0.1471 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (constant 2015 US$) 3.82 % change on previous year (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$), per 283.73 current US$ per person (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$), per 0.1696 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$) 9.56 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0012 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -1.99 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) was 616.44 billion current US$ in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs).
- What is the highest imports of goods and services recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- The highest recorded value was 616.44 billion current US$ in 2025.
- What is the lowest imports of goods and services recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.12 billion current US$ in 1976.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) rank for imports of goods and services?
- Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 33rd out of 45 groups with data for 2025.
- Is imports of goods and services rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Over the last ten years it is up 42.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) data come from?
- The figures come from Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs), published as part of Imports of goods and services (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Imports of goods includes change in the economic ownership of goods from non-residents to residents of the compiling economy, irrespective of physical movement of goods across national borders. Imports of services includes services provided by non-residents to residents. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. This indicator is expressed in United States dollars.