Dubai has emerged as a key export gateway for stationery goods, which are in spiralling demand throughout Africa, according to a new report by the market information advisory 6Wresearch.
Its Africa Stationery Market report forecasts that stationery consumption across the continent will reach the value of US$5.04 billion by 2027, growing at an average compound rate of 2.4% annually from its current $4.39 billion valuation.
The report was produced by 6Wresearch on behalf of Paperworld Middle East, the region’s largest international trade exhibition for the stationery, paper, gifts and office supplies industry. Paperworld will mark its tenth anniversary by showing at the Dubai World Trade Center from 14-16 December this year.
It cites a growing education sector throughout Africa and upscale commercial sector investment as being behind the surging demand.
“Africa’s stationery market is majorly import-driven, with Dubai being the major exporter to African countries,” the report says.
Video conferencing pick-up
Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, where office inventory is set to reach 14.83 million square metres by end 2021, account for the lion’s share of the stationery and office supplies demand.
“Office space in South Africa has been increasing over the past few years on the back of government initiatives to drive the real-estate and corporate industries,” the report says.
“Due to the increasing office sector outlook, new potential opportunities for deployment and use of video conferencing solutions in the corporate sector are expected to increase.”
However, education represents 60% of overall sector demand in Africa, and although the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed demand, with schools being forced to close, the report believes the sector will rebound by the end of this year.
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Given the forecast demand and Dubai’s rapidly expanding role as a supply base for the continent, African buyers and suppliers are expected to be a significant force at Paperworld Middle East 2021. The event is being organised by Messe Frankfurt, the world’s largest trade fair organiser.
The show, which was originally scheduled for March this year, has moved to December, when it is likely to benefit from an influx of visitors for Expo 2020 Dubai.
“This move to December was made following regular contact with our stakeholders,” explains Syed Ali Akbar, show director for Paperworld Middle East. “The feedback we received prompted the change of date, which is widely supported by our customers, partners and trade associations.
“The show and the debut of its associated Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East exhibition will now open doors at the same time as Expo 2020 Dubai – a global mega-event that is expected to attract more than 25 million visitors during its six-month run from October 2021 to April 2022.
“These trade shows will benefit from the association with Expo 2020,” Akbar says, “so we can confidently predict an influx of new visitors from an expanded geographic footprint which means a wider opportunity base for exhibitors.”
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