African imports of diesel generator sets increased by eight per cent in the small-range segment and 15 per cent in the high-range segment in Q4 2012 compared to Q4 2011, a new report has revealed
Overall imports were up by three per cent for the same period.
Meanwhile, according to PowerGen Statistics' Q4 2012 Diesel Generators Trade Report, imports in the mid-range segment have decreased significantly by about 19 per cent.
Among African nations, Nigeria has seen the biggest drop in imports by as much as 40 per cent compared to 2011. Angola and Algeria have, however, fuelled the growth in diesel generator imports, with a 65 per cent and 32 per cent increase respectively.
The UK continues to be the biggest exporter of diesel generators into Africa, even though business has fallen by 20 per cent, particularly in Nigeria. Chinese and French exports increased slightly in 2012 in comparison to 2011.
The southeast African nation of Mozambique remains a small market for the sector, but imports progressed by 30 per cent in Q4 2012 versus Q4 2011. China has continued to be the main exporter to this market.
This growth has been seen mainly on small and large sets, whereas the medium range of products remained stable.
In April 2012, Angola increased its import, whereas South Africa’s demands dropped compared to March 2012. Nigerian imports remained steady over the same period.
China saw a rise in its diesel generators exports to the continent from March 2012 to April 2012. Demand for UK products remained the same, but the US saw a drop in its export market in Africa for the same period last year.