By J.P. Turatsinze, China-Africa News — Beijing
Africans living in or visiting China increasingly view the China–Africa partnership as a key driver of long-term development, pointing to China’s own dramatic rise from war-torn decades to becoming the world’s second-largest economy as proof of the benefits of sustained cooperation.
Diplomatic links are firm: 53 African nations maintain formal relations with Beijing, most of which have embassies in the Chinese capital. Economically, China is pushing forward transformative projects across Africa, financing and building infrastructure such as railways, airports, highways, irrigation systems, health clinics, and agricultural facilities.
In education, China is hosting around 80,000 African students every year, many on government-funded scholarships, offering them both financial support and accommodation. Chinese universities report that these students study across a broad range of disciplines engineering, public health, civil engineering and frequently engage in cultural activities such as dance and dragon-boat racing.
Trade between China and Africa is booming. In 2024, bilateral trade hit a record US$295.56 billion, a 4.8% increase from the previous year. China’s imports from Africa reached about US$116.79 billion, while its exports to the continent totaled US$178.76 billion, narrowing Africa’s trade deficit to US$61.93 billion.
On trade policy, China implemented a major shift: as of December 1, 2024, it extended zero-tariff treatment to all least-developed countries (LDCs) with which it has diplomatic relations covering 33 African nations. Officials have also declared their intent to apply this zero-tariff treatment to all 53 diplomatically-linked African countries.
According to China’s General Administration of Customs, this policy has already driven strong import growth from African LDCs.
Beyond trade, China and African countries are deepening people-to-people links through education and youth engagement.
Under the Beijing Action Plan (2025–2027), agreed at the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China pledged RMB 360 billion (about US$50 billion) in support over three years spanning credit lines, aid, and investment.
The plan also includes 60,000 training opportunities for African professionals, ten schools or technical workshops, and the establishment of science and education cooperation centers. As part of this push, China will train 1,000 African science and technology professionals in China and set up 30 joint research labs.
