Africa Building Materials Market is expected to reach US$ 5.09 Billion by 2031

Strong Growth of Construction Industry is Driving Africa Building Materials Market Growth

According to the latest market study on "Africa Building Materials Market Forecast to 2031 — Regional Share, Trend, and Growth Opportunity Analysis — by Material and End Use," the market was valued at US$ 3.72 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 5.09 billion by 2031; it is anticipated to register a CAGR of 4.8% from 2025 to 2031. The report highlights key factors contributing to the growing Africa building materials market size and prominent players, along with their developments in the market.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Africa will experience an unprecedented increase in its urban population over the next three decades, doubling from 704 million in 2024 to 1.4 billion people by 2050. It will become the continent with the second-largest urban population after Asia (3.5 billion). Nigeria is projected to have an urban population of 250 million—the fourth largest urban population in the world—while Egypt, with 147 million, will rank among the top ten globally. Cities will absorb 80% of the total projected population growth, and two out of three people in Africa will live in urban areas by 2050. Cities such as Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya), Johannesburg (South Africa), and Cairo (Egypt) are expanding rapidly, requiring large volumes of cement-based products, insulation materials, and structural panels. Furthermore, urban infrastructure development is playing a major role in increasing the demand for construction materials. Expanding cities require transportation networks, healthcare facilities, and utility infrastructure such as water treatment plants, bridges, and roads. Large infrastructure products rely heavily on cement-based products, durable wall panels, and advanced insulation materials to ensure longevity and compliance with building regulations. Thus, the robust construction industry growth in these developing countries drives the Africa building materials market.

Africa Building Materials Market Breakdown – by Region

Further, there are various benefits of fiber cement board siding over vinyl or other alternatives. Fiber cement siding requires less frequent re-painting as it holds paint well. Fiber cement siding resists rotting, unlike wood siding, and is less prone to denting compared to steel siding. Compared to gypsum boards, fiber cement boards stand strong in the presence of moisture and leaks. These fiber cement boards possess excellent moisture-absorbing and drying properties, making them resistant to weather changes and driving the market.

Fiber cement boards are fireproof and insect-resistant; they also perform well in cases of natural disasters. Fiber cement boards have very good sound insulation properties. These properties make it suitable for building good-quality and long-lasting homes. Further, fiber cement boards are available in various styles, including panels and shingles. They are also available in baked-on, prefinished colors that do not require painting. Therefore, the superior properties of fiber cement boards compared to other traditional construction materials result in their increasing usage in flooring, making furniture, and wall cladding, propelling the Africa building materials market growth.

The Africa building materials market trends include the growing demand for green buildings, owing to sustainability initiatives, government policies, cost savings, and increasing awareness of environmental conservation. As countries across Africa push for eco-friendly construction practices, the demand for energy-efficient, durable, and recyclable building materials is expected to rise, transforming the market landscape. These green structures rely on building materials that meet specific sustainability and performance standards. The demand for products such as low-volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, energy-efficient insulation, and eco-friendly adhesives and sealants is surging, creating a need for innovative solutions within the building materials market.

The demand for green buildings is growing. According to environmental studies experts, ~40% of the greenhouse gases and wastes come from the construction industry. The construction industry is resource-intensive, and building construction consumes many natural resources. Thus, there has been an increase in the demand for buildings that add aesthetic value to the location, as buildings are signs of sustainable development. Green buildings cause a negligible impact on the natural environment of the project site. As a result, there is a growing demand for green buildings. With this, the construction industry accelerates the adoption of building materials. Major players operating in the construction industry also pay high attention to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ratings, green points, and sustainable buildings. Further, urbanization, population growth, and infrastructure development are positively influencing the market in Africa. As a result, many new construction projects aim for green certification, whether for residential, commercial, or industrial structures.

In 2023, the Africa Regional Network of World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) launched the Africa Manifesto for Sustainable Cities and the Built Environment. This program outlines the actions that policymakers and businesses across the continent must take to achieve a net-zero carbon, healthy, resilient, equitable, socially and economically inclusive environment for everyone. South Africa has National Standard 10400 Part XA that optimizes building energy efficiency. In addition, the Green Star South Africa and EDGE green building tools have been adapted and are widely used in the country. International rating systems such as LEED and WELL are also used. Therefore, the growing emphasis on green buildings is expected to fuel the growth of the building materials market during the forecast period.

The Africa building materials market analysis is carried out by identifying and evaluating key players operating in the market. Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA, Knauf Insulation, Etex NV, Purechem Industries Limited, Vitapur Insulation, New Material Nigeria Company Ltd, Powafix, ARS Polystyrene Nig Ltd, Hitech Polystyrene Industries Ltd, and Technopol Southern Africa (Pty) LTD are among the key players profiled in the Africa building materials market report.

Africa Building Materials Market Segmentation:

The market is segmented on the basis of material and end use. Based on material, the market is segmented into fiber cement building boards, corrugated sheets, plaster of Paris, plasterboards, and insulation materials. In terms of end use, the Africa building materials market is segmented into residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and infrastructure. The geographic scope of the Africa building materials market report focuses on South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, and the Rest of Africa. Further, Nigeria held the largest Africa building materials market share in 2024. 

Based on material, the insulation materials segment held the largest Africa building materials market share in 2024, and the fiber cement building boards segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during 2025–2031. Insulation materials provide acoustic and thermal insulation used in building and construction operations. It is often installed on roofs, exterior walls, and floors to reduce energy losses and heat transfer. The fire-resistant property of insulation materials such as rockwool and glass wool makes them ideal for providing additional safety in building and construction projects. Rockwool and glass wool weather resistance and durability contribute to its long-term performance. On the other hand, its sustainable nature makes it a reliable solution for reducing energy consumption in buildings and facilitating compliance with building regulations and codes.

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