Bitumen prices in sub-Saharan Africa showed mixed movement this week. West Africa became more active as Nigeria entered the dry season, which always leads to more road and construction work. Import cargoes started moving toward Nigerian ports, and many tankers were already positioned near regional terminals. In East Africa, delivered prices increased because Iranian FOB prices rose, and demand stayed steady. In South Africa, domestic truck prices moved down as suppliers tried to sell remaining volumes before the construction break in mid-December. Overall, the region showed strong demand in Nigeria, stable activity in East Africa, and softer conditions in South Africa.
West Africa: Rising Activity in Nigeria Supports More Cargo Flows
Demand in West Africa increased, especially in Nigeria, because the dry season allowed more paving work.
This supported higher import needs and encouraged traders to move large cargoes into the region.
At the same time, West Africa cargo prices became slightly softer during the first week of December.
A small drop in Mediterranean HSFO prices, along with weaker Spanish and Ivory Coast premiums, pushed cargo values down by a few dollars.
Spanish FOB cargo prices moved down by two to three dollars and were priced at around five dollars above Mediterranean HSFO.
Ivory Coast FOB prices, on the basis of Abidjan, also declined by two to three dollars, moving to levels close to one hundred ten dollars above HSFO.
A large tanker called The Blacksmith, loaded in Turkey, was sailing toward West Africa for arrival around 6–7 December.
Market participants expect several part-cargoes to go into different Nigerian import terminals. Other tankers, such as Biskra and Bitu River, were also waiting near Lome for possible ship-to-ship operations or further deliveries.
Nigeria: Dry Season Strongly Lifts Bitumen Demand
Nigeria continued to experience a rise in bitumen demand one month into the new dry season. Contractors increased road work, and consumption became higher.
Market players watched the movement of the Blacksmith closely, because Trafigura has not supplied Nigeria directly for several years.
More cargoes were also on the way from the Ivory Coast, the Mediterranean, and northwest Europe. One tanker from Abidjan, the Accord, was expected to arrive at Warri on 5–6 December.
Another vessel, Baustella, was sailing with a cargo from Antwerp for arrival at Port Harcourt on 14 December.
The Iver Blessing was also planned to load from Turkey for one of the Lagos area terminals, although this shipment was not yet confirmed.
Domestic truck prices in Nigeria did not change and stayed at around 1.24 million naira per ton, which is close to 827 dollars per ton on a factory price basis.
East Africa, Iranian FOB Increases Lift Delivered Prices
Delivered prices in East Africa increased this week because Iranian export values rose. Iranian drummed bitumen price came in ten dollars higher at 365 to 375 dollars per ton FOB Bandar Abbas.
Iranian bulk cargo prices also increased by about three and a half dollars per ton. Market participants who supply bitumen to Kenya, Tanzania, and nearby markets said that demand remained stable.
Kenya and Tanzania both recorded higher prices for drummed imports during the week.
Freight rates on most container routes stayed the same, although costs for shipments to Dar es Salaam dropped slightly because international shipping lines reduced container charges.
Kenya, Uganda, and DRC: Regular Flows and Higher Future Requirements
Suppliers reported regular truck flows from Kenya into Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Activity was normal, and buyers continued to take material for ongoing projects.
One major supplier in Kenya said it plans to increase operations in early 2026 because the Kenyan government has started a large highway program with two major Chinese construction companies.
This project has a total value of about 1.5 billion dollars and is expected to create a strong rise in bitumen demand next year.
Southern Africa: Cargo Arrivals Ahead of Construction Recess
In southern Africa, several bitumen cargoes were being delivered into South African terminals. Many volumes will go into storage tanks before the construction sector closes for the annual break from mid-December to mid-January.
Market participants also said that the Pakistani exporter NRL released a tender for one 6,000 tons cargo of Pen 60/70 every month for six months, starting from December.
The first cargo is expected to load this month.
South Africa: Lower Domestic Prices as Suppliers Clear Stocks
Domestic bitumen prices in South Africa moved down slightly this week.
Truck prices dropped by 100 rand to a range of 11,500 to 11,800 rand per ton factory price. Suppliers lowered prices to sell more volumes before the long holiday period when construction work stops.
Some imported truck prices at Durban port were even lower at around 11,200 rand per ton. Several tankers were completing or preparing cargo deliveries into Durban, including Zest, Asphalt Alliance, YLW, and A3R H. Most of these shipments came from Pakistan and the Middle East Gulf.
Outlook
The coming weeks will show different trends across the region.
Nigeria is expected to stay active because the dry season supports more paving work and import demand will remain high.
East Africa may continue to record firm prices if Iranian FOB levels stay strong and regional demand remains stable.
South Africa will likely remain soft until mid-January because of the construction recess, and suppliers will focus on moving cargoes into storage rather than road projects.
Overall, Africa’s bitumen demand will stay strong in Nigeria and Kenya, steady in East Africa, and slow in South Africa until projects resume in early 2026.
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Bitumen 60/70 Price Today in Africa
