Imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Imports of goods and services 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$, in 1976.
That places Sub-Saharan Africa 33rd out of 45 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Imports of goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | 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
- Imports of goods and services (current US$), annual growth rate 8.19 % change on previous year (2025)
- Imports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), per capita 420.94 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Imports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), per unit of GDP 0.2516 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Imports of goods and services (constant 2015 US$), annual growth rate 4.54 % change on previous year (2025)
- Imports of goods and services (current US$), per capita 466.42 current US$ per person (2025)
- Imports of goods and services (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.2788 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross capital formation (constant 2015 US$), per unit of GDP 0.2438 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current US$), per capita 386.71 current US$ per person (2025)
- Gross capital formation (constant 2015 US$), annual growth rate 5.43 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (constant 2015 US$) 4.68 % change on previous year (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.