China-Africa trade surged 12.4% in the first five months of 2025 to $134bn, but the African continent accounted for only 5.4% of the Asian powerhouse’s total foreign trade, data from China’s General Administration of Customs show.

Africa’s exports amounted to $50.6bn between January and May – up 1.6% year on year – while China’s exports to Africa rose 20.2% y/y to $83.4bn, according to figures released on June 9, cited by South Africa-based news agency APA.

China remained Africa's largest trading partner for the 16th consecutive year in 2024, with bilateral trade hitting a record $295.6bn, up 4.8% y/y.

Africa exports raw materials to China, mainly crude oil, agricultural products, and minerals such as copper, cobalt, iron ore, gold, diamonds and lithium. The continent imports Chinese manufactured goods, such as machinery, electronics, textiles and vehicles.

African leaders have urged China to increase imports of processed goods from the continent, aiming to narrow the trade deficit and boost industrialisation, APA writes.

At the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2024, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was among the leaders advocating for more balanced trade, highlighting Africa’s push for greater value addition in exports, the news agency writes.

In response, China in December 2024 introduced zero-tariff policies for 33 African nations classified as least-developed countries, aiming to stimulate exports from the continent.