Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia has emerged as Africa’s leader in per capita consumption of petrol and oil dispensing pumps, according to a new market analysis by IndexBox Inc., a market intelligence platform that provides market research, data, and analytics for various global industries.
The report, published on October 20, 2025, forecasts steady growth in Africa’s dispensing pump market, with the Gambian case standing out as both exceptional and instructive.
The study projects that Africa’s market for petrol and oil dispensing pumps will expand from 277,000 units in 2024 to 323,000 units by 2035, with market value expected to rise from $130 million to $204 million.
While countries like Algeria, South Africa, and Kenya dominate in absolute consumption, The Gambia recorded the highest per capita use—2,941 units per million people—outpacing larger economies such as Algeria and Nigeria.
According to IndexBox, The Gambia also posted the fastest consumption growth rate in Africa, at +21.8%, underscoring a rapid scaling of the country’s fuel infrastructure despite its small market size.
Interestingly, the report highlights a striking disparity in pump import costs across the continent. While Nigeria pays an average of $4,600 per unit, Gambian importers pay just $35 per unit, the lowest on the continent.
This, analysts suggest, could reflect differences in supply chains, procurement standards, or pump quality.
The IndexBox analysis further noted that in 2024, The Gambia imported 8,000 units of oil dispensing pumps, placing it alongside bigger importers like Kenya and South Africa. Despite its modest economy, the country’s role in Africa’s import landscape is becoming more visible.
For a country whose petroleum sector has often been associated with logistical challenges and supply bottlenecks, the findings could point to both opportunities and vulnerabilities.
Cheaper imports may expand access to pumps for filling stations nationwide, but questions remain over durability and long-term maintenance.
As Africa’s oil pump market is forecast to grow at a value CAGR of +4.2% through 2035, industry observers suggest that The Gambia may need to strengthen regulatory oversight to ensure that lower-cost equipment meets safety and quality standards.
“The Gambia’s per capita figures show just how central fuel distribution infrastructure has become to its economy,” the IndexBox report noted, adding that the country’s growth trajectory could make it a case study for small-market adaptation in Africa’s petroleum sector.
With the government prioritizing fuel supply as part of its national development agenda, industry watchers say the data underscores the need for The Gambia to balance affordability with resilience in its energy infrastructure.
