China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee

The China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee is a branch under the China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Foundation, and conducts its operations under the direct management and leadership of the Foundation. Established in September 2014 in Beijing, the national capital, the China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Foundation is currently the first foundation in China dedicated to promoting economic and trade development between China and African countries.

The China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee is a comprehensive platform established to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between China and African countries. Its mission is to advance economic and trade development between China and African countries in multiple fields through extensive cooperation and exchanges. With the deepening of globalization and the implementation of the “Belt and Road Initiative”, China-Africa economic and trade relations have grown rapidly, and the role of this Working Committee has become increasingly important.

1. Policy Research and Recommendations

The China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee is committed to providing high-quality policy research and recommendations for China-Africa economic cooperation. By collaborating with governments, think tanks, and experts and scholars, it conducts in-depth research on policies, regulations, and market environments related to China-Africa trade and investment. It then provides policy consultation and recommendations to relevant departments of the Chinese government and African countries, promoting the formulation of laws, regulations, and policy frameworks that are conducive to bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Such research typically covers the following aspects:

Reduction of bilateral trade barriers and tariff preferences
Regulations on the protection of foreign investment
Policy measures to promote cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises
Policy guidance for emerging fields such as the digital economy and green energy

2. Building Cooperation Platforms

The China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee provides a matching platform for Chinese and African enterprises through various forms of activities, including:

China-Africa Economic and Trade Talks: It regularly holds large-scale international conferences, exhibitions, and negotiation meetings, attracting entrepreneurs, investors, chambers of commerce, and government representatives from both China and Africa. These activities offer enterprises opportunities to display products, promote projects, and seek partners.
Bilateral Business Forums: It organizes thematic forums to conduct in-depth discussions on key fields such as agriculture, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and finance, facilitating bilateral project cooperation and technology transfer.
China-Africa Industrial Parks: It promotes the establishment of industrial parks in Africa to attract Chinese enterprises to settle in, thereby advancing the integrated development of China-Africa industrial chains and supply chains. For instance, the Chinese enterprise clusters established in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, and other countries serve as bridges for Chinese manufacturing and light industry enterprises to enter the African market.

3. Promoting Bilateral Investment and Trade

The China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee also plays a bridging role in promoting Chinese enterprises’ investment in Africa and expanding bilateral trade:

Promoting Chinese Investment in Africa: Chinese enterprises have invested in a wide range of fields in Africa, including infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. The China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee assists Chinese enterprises in identifying investment opportunities in various African countries, analyzing market risks, and providing investment guidance.
Trade Facilitation Services: To drive the growth of China-Africa trade, the Committee provides services such as policy interpretation, legal services, and tax consultation to both Chinese and African parties, helping Chinese enterprises understand the trade policies and legal environments of African countries. Furthermore, by coordinating with customs, inspection and quarantine departments of China and African countries, it promotes the simplification of trade procedures and the unification of standards to reduce trade costs.
Supply Chain Management: It helps Chinese enterprises enter the African market and provides support in logistics and supply chain management. Particularly in fields such as agriculture and mining, it facilitates the entry of high-quality African resources into the Chinese market through convenient channels, while increasing the market share of Chinese-manufactured products in Africa.

4. Providing Financial and Financing Support

The China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee works closely with various Chinese financial institutions to help enterprises address funding needs and promote project financing and investment implementation:

Project Financing Matching: In collaboration with financial institutions such as the Export-Import Bank of China and the China Development Bank, it helps Chinese enterprises find suitable financing solutions for their projects in Africa, providing preferential loans, credit support, and project insurance services to reduce the financing risks of enterprises investing in Africa.
Bilateral Financial Cooperation: It promotes bilateral financial cooperation between China and African countries, including currency swaps, cross-border payments, and the construction of financial infrastructure. Through financial cooperation, it reduces the uncertainties caused by foreign exchange fluctuations to enterprises’ trade and investment, further advancing bilateral economic development.

5. Industrial Development and Technological Cooperation

The China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee actively promotes cooperation between China and African countries in technology transfer and industrial upgrading:

Agricultural Technology Promotion: China has rich experience and technological reserves in agricultural production. Through cooperative projects, the Committee provides modern agricultural technology support to African countries, such as the promotion of hybrid rice, the application of agricultural mechanization, and agricultural training. This helps Africa improve its food production capacity and enhance food security.
Industrial and Manufacturing Cooperation: The Committee encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and build factories in Africa, promoting China-Africa manufacturing cooperation. Through technology transfer and industrial chain integration, it improves Africa’s industrialization level and creates employment opportunities. For example, the layout of Chinese manufacturing enterprises in sectors such as textiles, electronics, and home appliances in Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, and other countries has driven the development of Africa’s light industry.
Clean Energy and Environmental Protection Cooperation: The Committee also focuses on promoting China-Africa cooperation in the field of renewable energy, including solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower projects. This helps Africa address energy shortages and, at the same time, promotes the sustainable development of African countries through cooperation in environmental protection technologies.

6. Human Resource Development and Training

The China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee promotes the development of human resources in African countries through various means to enhance the quality of China-Africa cooperation:

Vocational Training and Education: In collaboration with educational institutions and technical colleges in both China and Africa, the Committee launches technical training programs to improve the vocational skills of African laborers, particularly in fields such as manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. This not only enhances the employability of local laborers but also provides more skilled employees for Chinese-funded enterprises operating in Africa.
Talent Exchange: It promotes the exchange and training of experts, scholars, managers, and technical workers between China and Africa, cultivating local talents for African countries and enhancing their independent capabilities in economic development.

7. Promoting the Implementation of the “Belt and Road Initiative” in Africa

The China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee plays an important role in advancing the “Belt and Road Initiative” within its framework. Through this Initiative, it promotes cooperation between China and African countries in fields such as infrastructure, transportation, energy, and the digital economy. Examples include:

Transportation and Infrastructure Construction: Through the “Belt and Road Initiative”, a large number of Chinese-funded enterprises have participated in the construction of infrastructure in Africa, such as roads, railways, ports, and airports. This has improved the economic competitiveness of African countries and the level of regional connectivity. The Committee ensures the smooth progress of these projects through coordination and promotion of their implementation.
Digital Silk Road: In the construction of Africa’s Internet and digital infrastructure, the Committee promotes cooperation between Chinese technology companies and African countries to enhance Africa’s digital economy. This includes helping build data centers, network infrastructure, and promoting innovative technologies such as mobile payments.

As an important institution for promoting China-Africa economic cooperation, the China-Africa Friendship Economic and Trade Development Working Committee covers multiple fields, ranging from policy support, project matching, and investment promotion to technological cooperation. Through various forms of cooperation, the Committee not only increases investment and trade opportunities for Chinese enterprises in Africa but also helps African countries achieve industrialization and economic modernization. With the deepening of China-Africa relations, the Committee will continue to play a key role in promoting the sustainable development of bilateral economic relations in the future.