Africa tobacco growing increases despite global decline
A World Health Organization report indicates that while global tobacco production is falling, it is rising in Africa, leading to increased economic and health burdens for the continent. African nations are simultaneously increasing raw tobacco exports and spending more on imported manufactured cigarettes.
Why it matters
The shift in tobacco production to Africa creates significant public health, environmental, and economic development challenges for the region.
Tobacco-leaf production is declining globally, but rising in Africa, according to a new analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The analysis finds that while global tobacco-leaf production fell by nearly 19% between 2012 and 2024, production in Africa increased by almost 9%. Over the same period, Africa’s cigarette import bill more than doubled. Africa’s cigarette imports more than doubled, rising from US$ 833 million to US$ 1.77 billion.
The findings point to a troubling development pattern: African countries are producing and exporting increasing amounts of raw tobacco leaf, while also spending significantly more to import manufactured cigarettes.
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