Africa – a continent of opportunities for Polish companies

More and more Polish entrepreneurs are looking for new foreign markets. Africa, with a dynamically growing economy and a young population, is becoming a country full of opportunities. The continent offers not only opportunities for business growth, but also the opportunity to forge lasting partnerships.

Africa in numbers – growing potential

Africa is made up of more than 50 countries, each with its own pace of development and needs. In the next 30 years, the continent will double its population, and half of its inhabitants will be under 25 years old. Forecasts speak of an average GDP growth of 3.8 percent, and in countries such as Ethiopia, Senegal or Ivory Coast even more than 6 percent. Therefore, it is a market full of opportunities, in which Polish products and know-how should find a place.

Africa’s trade with the world

Africa’s trade with the world is heavily focused on energy commodities and metals, with an increasing share of industrial products and vehicles, with a continuing trade deficit.

Trade Africa – World, annual (EUR million)

Source: Export Intelligence  based on UN Comtrade data

Export structure – minerals, fuels and petroleum products dominate (25.7% of export value), followed by gold and other precious metals, vehicles, metal ores and electrical machinery. The goods with the highest export growth in the last 5 years are fertilizers, vehicles and electrical machinery.
Structure of imports – the largest share is held by mineral fuels (20.2%), machinery and mechanical and electrical equipment, vehicles, cereals and plastics. The commodities with the highest import growth are liquefied gas, light oils and copper.
Main export directions – Africa exports the most to: China, Spain, France, India and the US.

Trade in goods Poland – Africa

 Value and trade dynamics

Polish exports to Africa have been growing steadily – from EUR 1.356 billion in 2010 to EUR 4.574 billion in 2024. The goods with the highest export growth (CAGR) are pharmaceuticals, sugars, aircraft, and engines. These are indications of the growing interest in technologies and specialized industry, and thus the development of this continent.

Polish trade with Africa – annual (EUR million)

Source: Export Intelligence  based on GUS data

The largest increase in the value of exports over 5 years was observed in 2019–2023 – exports increased by over 345 percent in this period. compared to 2010.

 Structure of exports-commodities

Agri-food and industrial products dominate: cereals and cereal products (13.7–14.3 per cent share), machinery and mechanical equipment (10.8 per cent), non-rail vehicles and parts (10 per cent), milk and dairy products, meat, sugars.

 Structure of imports-commodities

Poland mainly imports clothing (knitted and other)approx. 15 per cent, mineral fuels and oils – 12.9 per cent, electric vehicles and machinery – 6–10 per cent, cocoa and fruit – 4–5 per cent. The highest import growth (CAGR) was recorded in aircraft and fertilizers, which may indicate the development of investments in the industrial and agricultural sectors.

Number of companies trading with Africa

Poland exports mainly to Egypt, South Africa and Morocco – in 2021, the number of exporters was 1,088,  1 286; and 870 respectively. The number of importers from Africa to Poland is much lower.

We have stronger-than-average trade relations with some Central African countries, such as the Central African Republic, but much weaker with most West and Southern African countries.

Service exchange Poland – Africa

In 2015–2024, Poland had a negative balance in trade in services with Africa – it imported more than it exported, with the exception of a few years (2020 and 2024). The most important services exported to Africa are: other business services (41.4 percent), transport services (27.9 percent), telecommunications and IT services (17 percent). The highest increase in exports was recorded in foreign travel services (CAGR of 13 percent) and financial services (5.15 percent).
Imports of services from Africa were dominated by foreign travel (36.1 per cent), business services (18.6 per cent) and transport services (14.7 per cent).

Polish foreign investments in Africa

The income of Polish companies from investments in Africa was variable, with reinvested profits ranging from EUR -11.3 million in 2012 to EUR 16.7 million in 2023. The largest number of subsidiaries of Polish companies is located in South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Mozambique. The data show that Polish companies are most successful where they can offer specialized products and services, and the development of business relationships requires a strategy tailored to the specifics of individual countries.

Poland – the advantage of a new participant

Being “new to the market” doesn’t have to be a disadvantage. The lack of historical connections gives Polish companies flexibility and the opportunity to build relationships from scratch. Polish entrepreneurs can bring a fresh perspective, react faster and bring in competitive financing, which is what African partners expect.

Africa is a continent full of challenges, but also unique opportunities. For Polish entrepreneurs who are well prepared for expansion, it can become a place of development, new contacts and ambitious projects.

Six principles that increase the chance of success:
 Be easy – simplify procedures and be available to partners.

• Be fast – act quickly and on time.
• Be flexible – adjust the terms of cooperation.
• Be local – work with local partners.
• Be direct – control the entire process from start to finish.
• Be choosy – choose projects that really fit your business

Polish companies have strengths that can bring success in Africa. These certainly include, for example, such sectors as: infrastructure, agri-food processing, RES or all kinds of product niches in which Poland has experience.

Sources:

• Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), „Afryka – nowy horyzont dla polskich firm. W jakich sektorach i krajach szukać szans?”, 12.2025
• Export Intelligence

Translated by IDC

JL