Trade between China and Africa expanded by 8.1 percent year on year in the first four months of 2025, reaching 103.1 billion U.S. dollars, according to data released by China's Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday.
The ministry highlighted the steady growth of trade cooperation between China and African countries, with bilateral trade hitting a record high of 295.56 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.
China has maintained its position as Africa's largest trading partner for the 16th consecutive year, according to the ministry.
"We have actively expanded unilateral opening up, and have given the least developed countries in Africa zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. Measures such as the 'green lanes' for African agricultural exports to China and the promotional shopping festival for African products allow an increasing number of African specialties to enter the Chinese market and achieve strong sales," said Shen Xiang, director of the West Asia and Africa Department under the Ministry of Commerce.
Data from the ministry shows that Chinese investment and contracted projects in Africa continued to expand. From January to April this year, China's direct investment in Africa across various industries reached 830 million U.S. dollars, and the value of newly-signed engineering contracts in Africa totaled 20.67 billion U.S. dollars, with completed turnover of 11.26 billion U.S. dollars.
By the end of 2024, China has signed cumulative engineering contracts worth 1.2137 trillion U.S. dollars in Africa, with a total turnover of 754.4 billion U.S. dollars.
"We have strived to foster industry cooperation growth clusters with Africa, encouraged enterprises to combine Africa's resource endowment and industrial development plans, and deepened China-Africa investment cooperation in the fields of agricultural product processing, home appliances, logistics and new energy. We will also launch a China-Africa economic and trade in-depth cooperation service fund to support investment and cooperation of small and medium-sized enterprises. We support local provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in their cooperation with Africa, help enterprises expand their overseas operations, continuously form an increase in China-Africa trade and investment, so that China-Africa mutually beneficial cooperation will yield more fruitful results," said Shen.
China-Africa trade volume up 8.1 pct year on year in Jan-April
China-Africa trade volume up 8.1 pct year on year in Jan-April
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
