African steel demand lifts up ArcelorMittal SA. The steelmaker's steel sales quantity has increased by 5%, although there is a 4% decreasing of steel consumption in its domestic market. The share price of ArcelorMittal SA pushed up 15% right after it announced its 2018 financial year reports.

ArcelorMittal SA performs well on its financial reports as there is a net profit of R1.3bn for the year to end-December, 2018. In 2017, its financial reports posted R5.1bn loss. In Africa, the steel demand is strong due to the booming infrastructure investments in rail, roads and energy projects. ArcelorMittal SA has experienced an increasing profits around 16% as a result of the growth of 5% in its sales of steel quantity. The steel group's has an overall increasing of steel sales quantity due to the good demand from the rest of Africa.

SA and key African markets still face threats of steel imports from China with current import duties, selective safeguarding and the designation of local steel.