• Côte d’Ivoire could become world’s third-largest natural rubber producer

• Rubber exports quadrupled to 1.7 million tonnes between 2015-2024

• Growing rubber output could support development of African tire industry

Côte d’Ivoire is emerging as a potential key player in the African tire industry as its natural rubber production accelerates. Latest forecasts from the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) suggest the West African country could become the world’s third-largest producer of the raw material, overtaking Vietnam and ranking behind only Thailand and Indonesia.

Between 2015 and 2024, Ivorian natural rubber exports quadrupled, rising from about 410,000 tons to 1.7 million tons. Most shipments were sent to China, India, Malaysia, and the United States. This expansion positions the country as a major player in the global tire industry, a sector in which Africa still relies heavily on imports.

According to consulting firm Mordor Intelligence, the African tire market was valued at $7.10 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $8.94 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.72%. Algeria held a 26.75% market share in 2024, while the Democratic Republic of Congo is expected to record the fastest growth, with a CAGR of 6.21% through 2030.

This expansion is largely driven by the steady rise in the number of vehicles on African roads, supported by both population growth and the emergence of a middle class in several developing economies.

A competitive African market

Chinese tire brands are challenging historically dominant European and Japanese suppliers with lower-priced products. American, Indian, and Russian manufacturers are also seeking to expand in the African market, alongside a small number of local producers.

Most of these local players operate factories relocated by foreign manufacturers or established through partnerships with domestic firms. They are mainly located in the continent’s largest automotive hubs, particularly in Morocco, South Africa, and Algeria.

Burkina Faso stands out as the only West African country with a factory producing tires for four-wheeled vehicles.

Despite a significant supply gap across the continent, part of the locally manufactured output is exported. Some equipment manufacturers also operate under subcontracting agreements with carmakers.

Technical and financial challenges

Several structural challenges remain, notably the availability of other essential raw materials. According to Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone, tire production requires more than natural rubber, which is used in higher proportions for truck and aircraft tires. Other inputs include petroleum-based synthetic rubber, carbon black, textile fibers, and steel wire. Access to financing also remains a constraint.

However, Côte d’Ivoire has several advantages. Although its steel industry is still in its early stages, the country produces petroleum and cotton and remains one of Africa’s most attractive destinations for investors.

Nigeria, which also produces natural rubber, previously attracted manufacturers such as Michelin and Dunlop thanks to similar assets. Both companies later shut down their operations, citing energy shortages and tax policies seen as unfavorable to local producers.

Drawing lessons from Nigeria’s experience, Côte d’Ivoire could leverage its economic strengths and natural resources to develop a viable local tire industry, along with the economic value such an industry could generate.

Henoc Dossa