Africa medical devices market seen doubling to $11.2 billion by 2035

Africa’s medical devices market is projected to rise from $5.8 billion in 2024 to $11.2 billion by 2035, driven by healthcare infrastructure spending, disease burden and faster adoption of digital diagnostics. The outlook points to the biggest demand in hospitals and public health facilities, with South Africa, North Africa and parts of East and West Africa shaping growth.

Why it matters: - The Africa medical devices market is projected to nearly double by 2035, signaling broader investment in hospital equipment, diagnostics and patient monitoring across the continent. - Faster access to medical devices could improve care delivery in public hospitals, private clinics and rural facilities as governments and health systems modernize. - Local manufacturing and regulatory harmonization could reduce import dependence and improve supply resilience.

What happened: - Market Research Future valued the Africa medical devices market at $5.4 billion in 2023. - The market is forecast to grow from $5.8 billion in 2024 to $11.2 billion by 2035. - The forecast implies a 6.8% compound annual growth rate from 2024 through 2035. - The report highlights stronger adoption in North Africa and South Africa, with Sub-Saharan Africa described as a fast-expanding market. - A free sample is available here. - Detailed findings are available in the full report.

The details: - Healthcare infrastructure investment, disease burden and digital health adoption are the main growth drivers identified in the report. - Public and private spending on hospital construction, clinical modernization and universal health coverage programs is expanding demand. - Africa’s disease profile is pushing demand for imaging, in-vitro diagnostics, patient monitoring and surgical equipment. - The report says governments and regional bodies are supporting local medical device manufacturing and regulatory alignment. - The African Union, Africa CDC and the African Medicines Agency are among the groups cited as helping reduce supply chain vulnerabilities and streamline approvals. - Hospitals and public health facilities made up more than 55% of market value in 2024. - Diagnostic imaging is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2035. - In-vitro diagnostics is projected to grow from $1.1 billion in 2024 to $2.3 billion by 2035. - Patient monitoring devices are gaining traction in intensive care and outpatient settings. - Medical consumables and supplies remain a high-volume category, including wound care, catheters, syringes and surgical wear. - Surgical equipment demand is rising with broader adoption of electrosurgical units and minimally invasive tools. - South Africa held about 28.5% of the regional market in 2024 and generated more than $1.6 billion. - North Africa, including Egypt, Morocco and Algeria, is a growth hub tied to insurance reform, hospital renovation and local assembly. - East Africa is emerging as a digital health frontier, led by Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania. - West Africa shows large unmet demand, with Nigeria leading subregional consumption. - Major companies named in the market include GE HealthCare, Siemens Healthineers, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Mindray Medical International, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic plc, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Roche Diagnostics, Johnson & Johnson and Canon Medical Systems. - The report cites recent strategic moves including localized training hubs, AI-enabled mobile imaging units and cost-focused patient monitoring and IVD offerings.

Between the lines: - The forecast suggests Africa’s medical device market is shifting from import-heavy supply toward a more localized, digitally connected ecosystem. - Growth is likely to favor products that can work in rural, under-resourced and mobile care settings. - Competitive advantage appears to depend on affordability, service support, durability and financing, not just advanced technology. - The report’s emphasis on PPPs suggests public budgets alone may not be enough to modernize tertiary care infrastructure.

What's next: - The report expects localized assembly, digital connectivity and point-of-care diagnostics to gain share through 2035. - Portable, ruggedized and solar-assisted devices are likely to see more demand in areas with limited infrastructure. - Public-private partnerships are expected to remain important for hospital modernization. - More related research is available through Market Research Future.