Industrial cooperation between China and Africa is deepening, from infrastructure and training to production and global sales.
Nairobi, June 16 (Xinhua) – China-Africa trade reached USD 29.556 billion in 2024, up 4.8% from the previous year, with China serving as Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.
Currently, with the support of 10 partnership action plans, Chinese and African companies are strengthening collaboration across the industrial chain, driving relationship progress and providing new driving forces for sustainable economic growth.
Supports local production
In Cote D'Ivoire, the country's economic capital, PK24 Industrial Park, on the outskirts of Abidjan, is struggling with activities. The newly constructed cocoa processing facility, the country's first modern modern plant, is about to be launched.
China Light Industry Nanning Design Engineering Co., Ltd. The facility, built by, processes 50,000 tonnes of cocoa per year and can store 140,000 tonnes. It marks a major milestone in the country's willingness to advance the global value chain.
“We are finally processing cocoa on our own land,” said Etien Coakou Kamille, a proudly shining local farmer. “In the past, cocoa was exported without being processed. Nowadays, Chinese companies are helping us change that.”
Covenin Koasi Ajmani, Minister of State for Côte de Ivoire and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Chinese companies are bringing integrated solutions that will help them upgrade the agricultural value chain, not just building factories. “China's agricultural development experience is an important reference for African countries,” he said.
A similar transformation is in shape across the continent. In Rwanda's eastern province, Gashola Farm PLC is expanding Chilean production with support from China's Hunan Modern Agriculture International Development Co., Ltd.
“The Chinese market is huge. We have seen strong demand for dried chili peppers in Rwanda,” said Dieudonne Twahirwa, managing director of Gashola Farm PLC.
To date, China has established capacity cooperation with 15 African countries and is involved in more than 50 industrial parks on the continent, attracting global investment and strengthening Africa's industrial bases.
“Not only has China become a major trading partner in Africa, it has also become a key advocate for capacity building and technology transfer,” said Humphrey Mosi, director of the Centre for China Studies at Dar es Salaam University.
Development of skilled talent
In addition to infrastructure, China-Africa cooperation emphasizes vocational training and talent development.
In the southern outskirts of Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital, more than 3,000 local workers transform high-end yarn into export preparatory products at a cashmere clothing factory owned by the inner Mongolia King Dia Cashmere Group in China.
“Since the establishment of the factory, we have trained over 20,000 textile specialists in various roles,” said Xia Yonghai, the company's general manager. “Most people now work for local textile companies and hold major technical and managerial positions.”
For Rivoherimanitra Niaina Rado, a 50-year-old who has worked in the factory for nearly 20 years, the journey is incredible. “I started as a trainee and now I'm a foreman… What I'm most proud of is helping to bring advanced technology to Madagascar.”
Chinese companies are also driving demand for vocational training skills across Africa. Flagship initiatives like the Lebanese Workshop promote practical, industry-oriented learning in several countries.
Kabin Addie, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, said China's investment and long-term involvement in Africa not only created jobs, but also significantly increased the technical capabilities of the local workforce through systematic training.
Chinese companies are making important contributions to Africa's talent development and laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth in Africa.
Connecting the global market
China-Africa cooperation promotes the export of African products to the global market through various platforms.
In Kenya, Kirimaru, a Chinese e-commerce platform, has become one of the leading online retailers in East Africa. One of its top merchants, Hoswell Macharia, sells locally produced televisions by Chinese investment company Vitron, generating annual sales of 96 million Kenyan Shillings (approximately 745,000 US dollars).
“We are pleased to announce that Hu Zhaoyang, executive director of Vitron, the home of Chinese investment,” said:
Vice President of Kilimall Wu Mixiang said that the presence of Chinese manufacturers in Africa means local retailers have access to higher quality, affordable products, which means that this will lead to real benefits for consumers.
Other Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu are also expanding in Africa, linking local businesses to the global digital economy.
China continues to open its market to African exports. All least developed countries with diplomatic relations, including 33 African countries, which began on December 1, 2024, have been allowed to process zero taxes in 100% of the product category. Events such as the China International Import Expo, China Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE), and Canton Fair will further support African exporters.
“The Chinese market really has an appetite for Kenya's products… We are working with a variety of stakeholders to integrate the country-wide commissions that Has Avocado has sourced,” said Newton Ngure, avocado exporter at a promotional event in Kenya-focused in April. “It's the perfect moment to enter the Chinese market.”
Industrial cooperation between China and Africa is deepening, from infrastructure and training to production and global sales. As the continent moves from raw materials exports to shared value creation, this partnership will help lay the foundation for a long-term, independent growth and a brighter future.■
