High-technology exports in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: High-technology exports was 6.0% in 2024. ▬ Flat
High-technology exports in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2013–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN). Measured in % of manufactured exports.
Analysis
The most recent figure for high-technology exports in Sub-Saharan Africa is 6.0%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 20.4% on the previous year and up 6.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, high-technology exports in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 6.5% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 4.8%, in 2021.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 34th of 46 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
High-technology exports in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | % of manufactured exports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 5.2% | — |
| 2014 | 5.6% | +8.2% |
| 2015 | 6.1% | +7.7% |
| 2016 | 5.6% | -8.2% |
| 2017 | 5.6% | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 6.4% | +14.2% |
| 2019 | 6.5% | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 5.4% | -15.9% |
| 2021 | 4.8% | -12.4% |
| 2022 | 5.7% | +18.5% |
| 2023 | 5.0% | -11.9% |
| 2024 | 6.0% | +20.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5.8% | 5.2% | 6.5% | 7 |
| 2020s | 5.4% | 4.8% | 6.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
More private sector data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Merchandise trade 44.5% (2025)
- Food imports 12.1% (2024)
- Manufactures imports 56.8% (2024)
- Merchandise imports 501.15 billion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 14.7% (2024)
- Manufactures exports 19.4% (2024)
- Merchandise exports 486.80 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per capita 368.33 current US$ per person (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.2201 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Merchandise exports (current US$), annual growth rate 11.24 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is high-technology exports in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- High-technology exports in Sub-Saharan Africa was 6.0% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest high-technology exports recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 6.5% in 2019.
- What is the lowest high-technology exports recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.8% in 2021.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for high-technology exports?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 34th out of 46 groups with data for 2024.
- Is high-technology exports rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), published as part of High-technology exports (% of manufactured exports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
High-technology exports are products with high R&D intensity, such as in aerospace, computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments, and electrical machinery.