African leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to a trilateral trade agenda with China, focusing on investment, innovation, and infrastructure.
This commitment was highlighted during the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
The expo’s theme was “China-Africa: Together Towards Modernisation,” bringing together high-level delegations from Africa to deepen cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.
The expo yielded results, including the signing of preliminary cooperation projects worth more than $11 billion.
African leaders emphasised the importance of partnerships grounded in mutual respect, shared interest, and inclusive development.
Uganda’s Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja highlighted the importance of industrialisation, infrastructure, and human capital development, calling on the private sector to drive implementation.
Liberia’s Vice President, Jeremiah Kpan Koung affirmed Liberia’s continued support for the One-China principle, inviting Chinese investors to view Liberia as a strategic partner in development.
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi emphasised the need for transformative partnerships, diversification of Kenya’s export base, and increased participation of small and medium enterprises.
The expo attracted nearly 4,700 Chinese and African enterprises and more than 30,000 participants, translating exhibition traffic into trade growth.
A Nigerian exhibitor, Austin Akpehe, lauded Changsha’s measures to facilitate China-Nigeria business settlements and transactions, urging the Nigerian government to support small-scale businesses in seeking trade opportunities abroad.
