BEIJING, June 9 (AGCNewsNet) – China-Africa trade jumped 12.4% in the first five months of 2025 to $134 billion, according to data released Monday by China’s General Administration of Customs. But despite the increase, Africa accounted for just 5.4% of China’s total foreign trade, underscoring persistent structural imbalances.

Africa’s exports to China rose a modest 1.6% year-on-year to $50.6 billion between January and May, while Chinese exports to the continent surged 20.2% to $83.4 billion during the same period. The figures point to a growing trade gap, with Africa continuing to sell mostly raw materials and importing Chinese-manufactured goods.

China remains Africa’s largest trading partner. African exports to the Asian powerhouse largely consist of crude oil, agricultural products, and minerals such as copper, cobalt, iron ore, gold, diamonds, and lithium. In return, China exports machinery, electronics, textiles, and vehicles.

Despite the overall growth in trade, African leaders have increasingly voiced concern over the lopsided nature of the relationship.

“We must push for more balanced trade,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), urging China to increase imports of African processed goods and support local industrialisation.

In response, China introduced zero-tariff policies in December 2024 for 33 least-developed African countries in a bid to stimulate exports and address the imbalance. However, analysts say structural issues remain, including Africa’s limited capacity to produce and export value-added goods.

While the tariff move was welcomed, economists argue that long-term solutions lie in boosting African manufacturing, infrastructure, and intra-African trade.

“Trade liberalisation alone won't close the gap. Africa needs to build the capacity to export more than just raw materials,” said Jean-Paul Koffi, a trade policy analyst based in Abidjan.

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