The ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is set to take place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, bringing together African exhibitors to showcase their products to a wider Chinese audience. This year's expo will welcome new African participants, including Gabon, making its debut at the national pavilion, and Cote d'Ivoire, participating collectively for the first time. The expo aims to inject fresh momentum into China-Africa trade and economic cooperation.
Cote d'Ivoire is seeking to expand its presence in the Chinese market through the CIIE, focusing on five key sectors: cocoa, coffee, cashew, kola nuts, and textiles. The country's Export Agency director, Kaladji Fadiga, stated that their ambition is to make this edition a remarkable showcase that reflects the true potential of their trade with China. Cote d'Ivoire's Lya Bissap brand, selected to exhibit at the CIIE, plans to showcase hibiscus products, including powder, ultrafine powder, and concentrate.
African companies will bring a diverse range of distinctive products to the expo, including agricultural and processed products from Cameroon, such as roasted sesame seeds, spicy dried meat, and shea butter. Ngoyonga Chaswe Clotilde, a representative of Cameroon's Bansa brand, hopes the expo will help promote their brand to a global audience and forge partnerships that could attract investment and support further processing in Cameroon.
China's market has brought tangible benefits for African businesses, with rising export volumes among the most notable. Kenya's tea exports to China rose from about 2 million kg annually to 12.4 million kg in 2025 and are expected to reach around 20 million kg in 2026, according to the Tea Board of Kenya's chief executive officer, Willy Mutai. Ethiopian coffee company AWO Coffee has also recorded strong growth in China, expanding its offerings from raw beans to roasted beans and packaged coffee powder.
The CIIE has helped African businesses forge commercial partnerships, with Wendy Mpendulo, founder of South African nut producer Miante Manufacturing, meeting a packaging company manager at last year's expo who expressed interest in appointing her as its representative in South Africa. Cameroon-based company Africa SARL has also established lasting trade relationships through the expo, meeting Chinese partners who have since begun working with the company.
China's favorable trade policy toward Africa has provided an additional boost by lowering the cost of accessing the Chinese market. Kenyan tea exporters can save 15 percent in tariffs by obtaining certificates of origin issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority, allowing them to benefit from China's zero-tariff arrangements. This has led to increased inquiries about Kenyan tea, with Chinese buyers recently traveling to Kenya specifically to seek tea supplies.
The zero-tariff treatment and China's vast market are creating incentives for industrial upgrading in African countries, with African businesses seeking to turn market access into long-term development opportunities. Zimbabwean leather goods exporter Samuneti Leathers has gained a clearer understanding of Chinese consumer preferences through repeated participation in the CIIE and plans to showcase its finest handcrafted products at this year's expo.
Key points
- African businesses are seeking to tap the Chinese market and move up the value chain through product processing, brand development, and other higher-value activities.
- The ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) will bring together African exhibitors to showcase their products to a wider Chinese audience.
- China's favorable trade policy toward Africa has provided an additional boost by lowering the cost of accessing the Chinese market.
