Zimbabwe emerged as the undisputed leader of Africa’s tobacco leaf export market in 2024, commanding nearly half of the continent's total exports.
Trade statistics released in a World Health Organization report on August 31, 2026, show Zimbabwe accounting for 48.51% of total African tobacco leaf exports, far outpacing its regional peers.
Malawi secured the second position, generating 20.06% of total African exports, followed by the United Republic of Tanzania, which contributed 14.49%. Together, these top three nations account for over 83% of all tobacco leaf exported from the continent.
Further down the rankings, Mozambique recorded 7.35% of total exports, while neighbouring Zambia trailed closely behind at 6.82%.
The remaining countries on the list captured significantly smaller shares of the regional export market. Uganda registered 1.17%, followed by South Africa at 0.89%.
Congo represented 0.26% of exports, Kenya accounted for 0.19%, and Senegal rounded out the top exporters list with a 0.14% share.
These trade figures reflect the gross total sum of all exports and imports as reported individually by countries within the region. The data underscores the heavy concentration of Africa's tobacco leaf production and export capacity primarily within Southern and East African nations.
