Bitumen prices in Sub-Saharan Africa showed mixed trends during the last week of August. South African domestic truck prices rose, while Iranian export prices declined, pushing East African import prices lower. West Africa remained mostly stable despite rainy season disruptions, supported by stronger crude oil and fuel oil values.
West Africa
Import cargo prices increased strongly, with Nigeria CFR Lagos assessed at $567–577/t (+$14) and Ivory Coast FOB Abidjan at $501–506/t (+$12.8).
Despite higher prices, persistent rainfall slowed construction projects and delayed new purchases.
Suppliers noted that local market prices in Nigeria remain too low to encourage new import cargoes, but regular shipments continued, mainly via Lome, Togo, from Turkish refineries at Izmit and Izmir.
One cargo to Nigeria was reported at $600/t CFR, loaded from Mersin port.
Participants expect stronger demand once the dry season starts later in October.
East Africa
Bitumen import prices were steady to slightly weaker following further declines in bulk export cargoes from the Middle East Gulf.
Demand remained stable across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, though late payments to contractors continued to affect cash flow, especially in Kenya.
Drummed cargoes held at $372–386/t FOB Bandar Abbas, maintaining a wide premium over bulk cargoes due to tighter supply and higher logistics costs.
Freight rates from Bandar Abbas–Jebel Ali to East African ports stayed unchanged:
- Mombasa: $90–100/t
- Dar es Salaam: $105–115/t
- Djibouti: $105–115/t
Short rains have started in parts of East Africa but had limited impact on road construction so far.
South Africa
Overall demand stayed firm with active paving work in South Africa since September.
Heavy rainfall slowed activity in Gauteng province, but regional exports to Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe continued steadily.
Domestic truck prices in South Africa were stable at R11,300–11,800/t ex-works, while refinery stocks at Natref were expected to finish by mid-October, ending local bitumen output.
New cargoes from Pakistan’s NRL refinery were purchased by Richmond Group and Vitol, both expected to arrive in Durban by early November.
Outlook
African bitumen demand is likely to improve as the dry season approaches in West Africa and paving projects accelerate in the south.
However, weather disruptions and financing delays will continue to limit short-term consumption in parts of East Africa.
Overall, the regional market outlook remains stable-to-firm heading into late October, with stronger activity expected in Q4 2025 as infrastructure projects resume across key countries.
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