Trade between China and Africa accelerated sharply in 2025, driven primarily by a surge in Chinese exports of industrial goods. China’s exports to the continent grew 26% year-on-year to around USD 225 billion, while imports rose only modestly (4%) to roughly USD 122 billion. The result is a widening Chinese trade surplus of more than USD 100 billion, with exports now nearly twice the size of imports. The data underline how the China-Africa trade relationship continues to expand in scale while maintaining a clear structural asymmetry.

The composition of trade highlights the underlying drivers. Chinese exports to Africa are dominated by manufactured and industrial products, particularly machinery & electronics, vehicles, and light-manufactured goods. Together, these sectors account for almost 75% of China’s exports to the continent and have been a major engine of the 2025 growth surge. Rapid expansion in automotive and transport equipment exports in particular reflects China’s rising competitiveness in vehicles and industrial equipment across emerging markets.

By contrast, China’s imports from Africa remain heavily concentrated in natural resources. Minerals & fuels alone account for nearly 60% of Chinese imports from the continent, followed by industrial inputs (22%) and metals (12%). This reflects Africa’s continued role as a key supplier of energy and raw materials within China’s global supply chains.

Geographically, China’s exports are broadly diversified across African markets, with Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt among the largest destinations. Imports, however, are far more concentrated in a small group of resource-rich economies, led by South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.

Overall, the data illustrate a deepening economic relationship built on complementary structures: Africa as a supplier of resources and China as a supplier of industrial goods. As China’s manufacturing sectors continue expanding into global markets, Africa is likely to remain an increasingly important destination for Chinese industrial exports. The scale of China’s demand also points to significant potential for African economies to expand and diversify their exports to the Chinese market over time.