China-Africa trade soared 12.4 percent in the first five months of 2025 to $134 billion, yet Africa accounted for only 5.4 percent of China’s total foreign trade.
According to data released by the Asian country’s General Administration of Customs on Monday, Africa’s exports amounted to $50.6 billion between January and May – up 1.6 percent compared to the same period in 2024 – while China’s exports to Africa rose 20.2 percent year-on-year to $83.4 billion.
This reflects a persistent trade imbalance, with Africa continuing to export raw materials while importing Chinese manufactured goods.
China remains Africa’s largest trading partner, with African nations supplying crude oil, agricultural products, and minerals such as copper, cobalt, iron ore, gold, diamonds and lithium.
In contrast, China exports machinery, electronics, textiles and vehicles to the continent.
Despite the growth, African leaders have urged China to increase imports of processed goods rather than raw materials, aiming to narrow the trade deficit and boost industrialisation.
At the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2024, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the need for more balanced trade, highlighting Africa’s push for greater value addition in exports.
In response to this, in December 2024 China introduced zero-tariff policies for 33 African nations classified as least-developed countries, aiming to stimulate exports from the continent.
JN/APA