The African forklift market is experiencing steady growth driven by infrastructure development, logistics expansion, and industrialisation. Forklift shipments to Africa reached 21,082 units in 2024, with demand projected to grow at 4-5% annually over the next five years. The Middle East and Africa (MEA) forklift truck market is valued at USD 3 billion, fueled by a surge in warehousing and logistics activities. Key markets include South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco—the latter preparing for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Market Size and Growth
Metric Value
2024 forklift shipments to Africa 21,082 units
Projected annual growth (next 5 years) 4-5%
MEA forklift market value USD 3 billion
South Africa market CAGR (2025-2030) 3.9%
South Africa projected revenue (2030) $183.2 million (R3.5bn)
Non-electric forklift market (2035 forecast) 37,000 units, $812 million
Major Brands and Manufacturers
HELI – China's leading forklift manufacturer, ranked among the global top ten since 2006. HELI has already secured the leading position in 15 African countries and aims to become the #1 brand across the MEA region. New G3 Series models (2-3.5 ton and 5-10 ton) feature lithium battery options, pedestrian detection, AI-powered collision warnings, and up to 15% energy consumption reduction.
Palfinger – Market leader in Southern Africa for truck-mounted forklifts and cranes. Introduced the first middle-seat truck-mounted forklift (FLM 25) for the African market, including a fully electric version.
Bheka (Shumani) – South Africa's first locally branded forklift, launched in late 2024. Shumani is the country's largest black-owned industrial equipment provider, serving major clients including Coca-Cola, SAB, and Heineken.
Other Major Brands – Toyota, Hyster, Yale, Doosan, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Nissan, TCM, Clark, Hangcha, Jungheinrich, Linde, and Mitsubishi are all active in the African market.
Dealers and Distributors
Dealer Location Specialisation
CFAO Equipment South Africa Toyota forklifts, new/used sales, rentals, TUF second-hand division
Rhino Fork Truck Centre Gauteng & Cape Town Mitsubishi, Nichiyu, Aisle-Master; 24-hour breakdown service
MCM Group Cape Town, Gauteng, Bloemfontein Diesel, electric, rough terrain forklifts; nationwide delivery
Jungheinrich South Africa Nationwide New/used sales, rentals, reconditioning, full life-cycle support
Shumani Industrial Equipment Johannesburg Bheka brand, Kalmar port equipment, Goscor Group dealer
A & B Forklifts South Africa Used/refurbished forklifts, sideloaders, reach trucks, container handlers
Price Ranges
New Forklifts – Starting from R245,000 (approx. $13,000 USD) excl. VAT for entry-level models.
Used Forklifts (South Africa) – Prices vary significantly by capacity, brand, hours, and condition:
Forklift Type Typical Used Price Range (ZAR)
1.5 Ton Electric R80,000 – R180,000
2.5 Ton Electric R120,000 – R250,000
2.5 Ton Diesel R120,000 – R300,000
3 Ton Diesel R150,000 – R350,000
5 Ton Diesel R250,000 – R600,000
Heavy Duty (8 Ton+) R500,000 – R1,500,000+
Key price factors: Capacity (biggest driver), brand reputation (Toyota, Hyster hold value best), operating hours (under 5,000 hours = premium, over 15,000 hours = budget), fuel type, and maintenance history.
Key Trends
Electrification – Electric forklifts now account for approximately 51% of the South African market, with internal combustion at 49%. The shift from lead-acid to lithium batteries has accelerated over the past three years. Industry leaders predict internal combustion forklifts will be largely phased out by 2030.
Chinese Manufacturers – Chinese vendors are accelerating localised production in Africa to reduce costs by approximately 15%, moving closer to markets as China's domestic forklift market plateaus at ~800,000 units annually.
Automation – Autonomous forklifts are the next frontier. Shumani plans to start selling self-operating forklifts from 2025, with AI-powered systems already available. The South African autonomous forklift market grew at a CAGR of 21.72% from 2020-2024, though imports declined -3.7% in 2024.
The bottom line: Africa's forklift market is growing at 4-5% annually, driven by infrastructure projects across Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa. HELI leads in 15 African countries, while South Africa's Bheka is the first locally branded forklift. Electric models now dominate new sales (51% market share), with lithium batteries replacing lead-acid. Used forklift prices in South Africa range from R80,000 for small electric units to over R1.5 million for heavy-duty models. Chinese manufacturers are localising production to cut costs by 15%, and autonomous forklifts are emerging as the next frontier.