Imports of goods and services (current US$) in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Imports of goods and services (current US$) was 616.44 billion current US$ in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1976–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Offices (NSOs). Measured in current US$.
Analysis
In 2025, imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 616.44 billion current US$. That is the highest value across all 50 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it 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 peaked at 616.44 billion current US$ in 2025 and was at its lowest, 36.12 billion current US$, in 1976.
That places Sub-Saharan Africa 33rd out of 45 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Imports of goods and services (current US$) in Sub-Saharan Africa, 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
- 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
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, per capita 23.52 units per person (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- Lending to the IMF (GRA), SDR, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, per capita 17.18 units per person (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0103 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, annual growth rate -9.38 % change on previous year (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, annual growth rate -4.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, annual growth rate 3.32 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per capita 12.01 units per person (2025)
- SDR Allocation, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0154 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa 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?
- 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?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.12 billion current US$ in 1976.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for imports of goods and services?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 33rd out of 45 groups with data for 2025.
- Is imports of goods and services rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- 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 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.