/Key Points
– Alkagesta’s market analysis highlights significant changes in global steel markets for 2026.
– China’s steel exports surged by 13.8% in 2025, reaching 131.2 million tonnes, increasing its global export share to 41%.
– Africa is projected to see a steady growth in steel demand, driven by urbanization and infrastructure needs.
– Successful steel trading hinges on logistics and financial discipline, rather than just pricing strategies.
– Alkavex, a joint venture of Alkagesta and Navex SAS, focuses on sourcing steel from China to serve customers in Africa.
Alkagesta Releases Insightful Analysis on Global Steel Market Trends
Alkagesta has unveiled a comprehensive market analysis examining the global steel markets in 2026, spotlighting two transformative forces: a significant surge in Chinese steel exports and a rising demand from Africa’s fast-urbanizing economies.
According to the analysis, China’s steel exports increased by 13.8% in 2025, totaling a record 131.2 million tonnes. This growth has propelled China’s share of world steel exports from 19% in 2019 to an impressive 41% in 2025. Nijat Osmanli, Deputy CEO of Alkavex, commented, “Chinese material often establishes the reference point for buyers evaluating alternatives. This creates pressure on other producers to remain competitive while managing margins.” This competitive climate is intensified by geopolitical uncertainties that have disrupted global energy and commodity supply chains, resulting in fluctuating steel freight rates and raw material costs throughout 2026.
Amid these challenges, Africa has emerged as a consistent beacon of growth for the steel industry. According to Worldsteel’s April 2026 outlook, African steel demand is projected to grow by 3.8% in 2026 and 4.6% in 2027. Jean-Pierre Artigala, Chairman of Alkavex, stated, “Africa is at the heart of our growth strategy because steel demand is closely linked to economic development, urbanization, and infrastructure expansion.” This growth is further underscored by agricultural pressures that highlight the continent’s persistent need for infrastructure investment in transportation and industrial development.
For Alkavex, navigating this market successfully hinges not just on strategic positioning, but equally on execution. Osmanli remarked, “Many people think steel trading is primarily driven by price, but in reality logistics, specifications, financing, documentation, and mill approvals are often just as important.” Emphasizing the importance of financial rigor, Sylvain Artigala, CEO of Alkavex, added, “Steel trading margins can shift quickly on a single trade policy announcement or a quick raw material movement. Our approach is to build financial discipline into every transaction, so we can move fast when opportunities appear without taking risks we haven’t properly assessed.”
Alkavex operates as a Malta-based joint venture between Alkagesta and French steel trading company Navex SAS, with Alkagesta holding the majority interest. The company focuses on sourcing semi-finished and finished steel products from China for customers across West and East Africa. This expansion in steel trading is part of a record year for commercial growth at Alkagesta, which has also seen the acquisition of Turkish marine fuel distributor Energy Petrol and entry into the European aviation fuel sector through the NATO Central Europe Pipeline System.
