Africa’s Export Growth Accelerates as China’s Role Continues to Expand
Africa’s exports reached a new high in 2025, but the export base remains highly concentrated, and China has become the largest single destination
Africa’s exports reached a new high in 2025, but the export base remains highly concentrated, and China has become the largest single destination
Morocco, South Africa and Egypt remain Africa’s leading industrial economies; DRC, Djibouti and Gabon recorded the largest gains in competitiveness
China’s share of Africa’s trade has expanded sharply since 2001, with imports from China now matching Europe’s share
Exports have grown steadily since 2015, but minerals, fuels and metals still dominate, while five countries account for half of the total
Machinery, electronics, fuels and industrial inputs dominate Africa’s imports, and China remains the continent’s largest supplier
The U.S. and Europe dominate global data centre infrastructure, while Asia’s footprint is concentrated in a few hubs
China’s exports to Africa grew 26% in 2025, led by machinery, vehicles and light manufacturing, while imports expanded only modestly.
The volatility and geographic concentration of investment flows raises questions about Africa’s ability to sustain momentum into 2026 and beyond.
The new framework could unlock growth in non-commodity exports, especially food, autos and industrial intermediates.
The African Development Bank projects Africa’s GDP growth at 4.3% in 2026. We test this perspective by reviewing the continent’s 2025 growth landscape.