In a year when conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and geo-economic tensions between China and the West dominated the headlines, relations between China and Africa were stable and normal.
Having followed China-Africa relations for 20 years, I wanted to highlight some key moments from this year. These reveal that China’s relations with the African continent have focused on building momentum and deepening ties, particularly with regard to trade and promoting African exports.
They also highlight China’s growing commitment to supporting the development of African countries.
China-Africa trade and Expo
In June, the 3rd China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo was held in Changsha, Hunan Province.
Due to its size and focus, this is the most intensive China-Africa trade event on the calendar. This is also an opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses to participate.
This year’s expo reportedly recorded around 100,000 visitors and around 120 projects worth a total of $10.3 billion were agreed.
The expo will enable face-to-face interaction with the hope of developing commercial partnerships and sales. Trade included essential oils from Madagascar, jewelry from Zambia, wood carvings from Zimbabwe, and flowers from Kenya. A Chinese food group displayed its first imported Kenyan anchovies to seafood distributors. This led to a sudden increase in demand, and one day in September, 52 tons of wild Kenyan dried anchovies were landed in Hunan province for distribution throughout China.
Here are the key takeaways from this event:
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This signaled a new role for Hunan Province in China-Africa relations. Hunan province supplies a significant portion of China’s own food supply. It is also a hub for advanced agricultural processing and heavy industry.
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A high-level “green lane” dialogue was held to discuss the issue of importing more African fruits, vegetables and other African products for export to China. The purpose of these dialogues was to support Africa’s agricultural modernization and increase export revenues.
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The emerging “African Brand Warehouse” project, based in Hunan province, used the event to help bring more African brands (among them 106) into China’s major shopping malls.
China-Africa Summit Dialogue
In August, President Xi Jinping visited South Africa and attended a five-nation bloc summit meeting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
In parallel with the BRICS summit, the China-Africa Summit Dialogue (a dialogue led by China and co-chaired by President Xi Jinping and President Cyril Ramaphosa) was held.
A few things stood out from the conversation.
First, it focuses on promoting African integration and the participation of African regional organizations, which play a key role in promoting intra-African trade. Discussions focused on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and trade-related infrastructure and policies.
Second, President Xi announced three new plans for Africa on agriculture, industrialization, and human resources development. The plan aims to address challenges in China-Africa economic relations, including lagging agricultural productivity, lack of manufacturing and economic diversification, and lack of job creation and educational opportunities. It also aims to address obstacles to African development.
These actions speak to President Xi’s promise to build a “new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.”
This involved growth in trade, particularly regarding exports from Africa to China.
Changes will also be seen in the trade structure. The long-standing pattern has been for Africa to sell raw materials and buy manufactured goods, which has entrenched the continent’s underdevelopment. China is trying to overcome this situation by increasing purchases of processed goods and developing services such as tourism and finance.
Chinese foreign minister visits Africa
As has happened every year for at least the past 30 years, China’s foreign minister visited Africa. Qin Gang’s January trip included visits to Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt.
From my lens, Qin’s visit was conservative in its announcements and continued to demonstrate China’s commitment to the continent.
He strengthened important bilateral and multilateral relationships, such as the African Union and Sino-Arab relations.
One of the standout moments was the launch of the Horn of Africa Peace and Development Initiative, which aims to bring lasting peace and economic stability to countries in the conflict region. This is notable because China has a long-standing foreign policy of non-interference and a much shorter history of an active US- or European-style role in promoting peace across its borders.
Changes in infrastructure around Lagos
Various infrastructure developments around Lagos, Nigeria, marked a milestone in China-Africa relations this year. These will gradually change the scale of Nigeria’s ability to trade with the world.
In April, Lekki Deep Sea Port, Nigeria’s first deep sea port, began commercial operations. The port is being developed by Lekki, a joint venture owned by a group of investors (comprising China Harbor Engineering Company Limited and Singapore’s Tolam Group), the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority. Managed by Port LFTZ Enterprises Limited.
The port, one of Africa’s largest, will eventually be connected to the Lagos rail mass transit system. The first phase of the rail system, the Blue Line, opened in September.
The Blue Line was built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. Its corridor spans 13 km and covers five stations. This is the first rail infrastructure to traverse Okokomaiko, a densely populated area in western Lagos, and the Marina area, known for its high-rise commercial offices.
Towards 2024
It looks like the relationship will continue to evolve and grow into the new year.
The China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit is scheduled to be hosted by China later this year. Typically, the forums lead to announcements by both China and new directions for relations with Africa and the agreement on trade deals.
Otherwise, there is a need to commemorate some important bilateral anniversaries, such as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of relations between China and Tanzania and between China and Zambia. Additionally, China and Tanzania are expected to launch a flagship East African commercial and logistics center project. This is expected to expand trade and investment relations between China and other landlocked countries in the region.