Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt have emerged as China’s leading trade destinations in Africa, as exports from Beijing to the continent jumped 25% year-on-year to reach $122 billion so far in 2025.
The sharp increase already surpasses Africa’s entire trade volume with China in 2020 and is projected to top $200 billion for the first time by the end of this year, according to a Bloomberg report.
A major driver of the growth is demand for Chinese construction machinery, which surged 63% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Shipments of passenger cars more than doubled, while steel products recorded high double-digit increases. Chinese solar panels have also gained traction across the continent, with imports climbing 60% in the 12 months through June, according to climate research group Ember.
Despite the rapid growth, Africa still accounts for only about 6% of China’s total exports, half the level of the United States. In Nigeria, however, China has solidified its position as the country’s largest source of imports.
Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show that China exported goods worth ₦4.66 trillion to Nigeria in the first quarter of 2025, representing 30.19% of Nigeria’s total imports. Although this figure is down from ₦14.14 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2024, China remains the dominant supplier.
The shift in trade patterns is being influenced by the escalating U.S.–China trade war, which has encouraged Chinese firms to expand into new markets.
Analysts also link the surge to President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013, which has seen Chinese companies win numerous large-scale infrastructure contracts across Africa. Some goods originally destined for the U.S. may now be reaching global markets through Africa, a practice known as transhipment.
Rising protectionist policies in Washington have further pushed Africa towards Chinese products. More than 30 African nations previously enjoyed duty-free access to American markets under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, but many of their goods now face tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. This has strengthened Beijing’s role as a key trading partner for the continent.
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cc: Channels TV
