Nigeria’s tile industry is confronting difficulties, as noted by Bright Emmanuel, manager of De Zervant Ventures in Lagos. According to Emmanuel, the pressures on Nigeria’s Economy as a whole are reflected in the substantial impact Inflation has had on the business. Consumers now have to weigh cost, quality, and safety when making purchases because building materials like steel, cement, and tiles are becoming more and more expensive. For homeowners and contractors, choosing tiles has become more difficult due to the National Bureau of Statistics’ data indicating a substantial increase in the inflation rate for furniture and home appliances.
Since they are more affordable, many consumers in the nation now favour locally made tiles, while high-end purchasers continue to choose imported Italian and Spanish tiles because of their superior quality and longevity. A year ago, the cost of a carton of some typical sizes was ₦4,000; this year, the price has nearly quadrupled to ₦7,000 for some variations. Concerns about safety also influence selection, especially in houses with young children or senior citizens. They advocate unglazed tiles over glazed ones in damp locations because they offer superior grip and reduce accidents.
Safety is a top priority when selecting tiles for home renovation projects.
It is important to strike a compromise between budgetary restrictions, safety requirements, and aesthetic preferences, according to contractors like Moses Ibiyemi and Rose of Sharon. Although imported ones are more expensive, their increased cost is frequently justified by their greater longevity and reduced breakage rates. Safety is still a top priority, particularly when selecting tiles for home renovation projects that involve vulnerable populations. Despite inflation, there is a steady market for it, with consumer preferences shifting toward larger, more complex designs like those found in graphite ones.
A number of variables, including as fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, disruptions in the supply chain, and higher import expenses, have contributed to Nigeria’s inflation, according to economists like Financial Derivatives Company CEO Bismarck Rewane. “The Construction Sector is particularly vulnerable because it depends heavily on imported materials, and a depreciating Naira directly affects prices,” observes Rewane. According to him, the cost of Construction has increased for both developers and homeowners, with building supplies, such as tiles, seeing price increases of up to 70% annually.
Clients are increasingly requesting locally created tiles.
Rising energy prices and high transportation expenses raise the cost of production for locally made ones, adding to the inflationary pressures, says industry expert Taiwo Oyedele of PwC Nigeria. “Investment in local Manufacturing and Innovation in alternative building materials is one way to alleviate this, but there are many challenges involved,” states Oyedele, emphasizing the necessity of implementing regulatory changes that support domestic production. Working on several home projects in Lekki, contractor Adebayo Lawal commented.
In his statement, clients are now more circumspect, he said. They examine each quote carefully and frequently inquire about less expensive options. For some, it comes down to choosing between sticking to their budget and preserving their ideal look. In order to cut costs and maintain safety in damp locations, Lawal notes that his clients are increasingly requesting locally created tiles, especially unglazed kinds. To save production costs, experts suggest specific strategies including lowering import levies on necessary raw materials used in local tile manufacturing. Building material prices may also be stabilized by providing producers with energy cost subsidies.
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Growing interest has been observed in Eco-friendly and frequently less expensive alternative materials like as bamboo, recycled ceramics, and composite tiles, which can help offset the effects of cost increases. According to Oyedele, “investigating these alternatives not only promotes Sustainability goals but also lessens reliance on imports.” One way to cut costs could be to establish regional supply chains that avoid costly imports from Europe and Asia. To locate substitutes for conventional inputs like clay and feldspar, manufacturers are urged to look into local Mining potential or procure raw materials from nearby nations.