China’s Trade With Africa

Africa’s exports continued to expand in 2025, reaching nearly USD 689 billion, up from USD 414 billion in 2015, reflecting a 5.2% CAGR over the period. However, the structure of exports remains heavily concentrated in commodities, with minerals, fuels and metals continuing to dominate the continent’s trade mix. Export performance also remains concentrated in a limited number of economies, with South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria together generating nearly half of Africa’s total exports.

South Africa remained the continent’s largest exporter in 2025 at USD 117 billion, supported by a more diversified export structure spanning mining, manufacturing and automotive production. Nigeria, Algeria, Angola and Libya continued to rely heavily on hydrocarbons, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s export profile remained overwhelmingly concentrated in minerals and industrial inputs linked to global battery and metals supply chains. Morocco stood out as one of Africa’s most manufacturing-oriented exporters, supported by automotive, industrial and light manufacturing exports.

Export destinations also continue to reflect Africa’s integration into global commodity demand networks. China remained Africa’s largest single export market, while Europe continued to absorb a significant share of manufactured and resource exports.

Overall, Africa’s export base is growing steadily, but the continent still faces a structural challenge in moving beyond commodity dependence toward broader value-added manufacturing and deeper regional industrial integration.