Visitors from African nations, including Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda, explored the Yiwu International Trade Market in Zhejiang Province, China, engaging with merchants and asking detailed questions about production costs, profitability, and market reach. The market, known for its innovative displays, captivated guests with technology such as dancing robots and AI-powered glasses, which allow users to take calls and photos without using their smartphones.
George W. Chaima, country director of the New Restoration Plan think tank in Malawi, expressed his astonishment at Yiwu’s innovation. “I’ve traveled around the world, but I’ve never been to a place quite like the Yiwu International Trade Market,” Chaima said, adding that China’s efforts in technological development and international cooperation are crucial for global progress.
This event coincided with the 15th meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum, which opened in Yiwu on Friday. The forum resulted in the release of the Think Tank Action Declaration on Advancing Modernization in the Global South Through China-Africa Cooperation, alongside the China-Africa Consensus on Mutual Learning Between Civilizations.
Speaking at the forum’s opening ceremony, Oumar Demba Ba, chief diplomatic advisor to Senegal’s president, highlighted the collaborative spirit between China and Africa. He praised China’s decision to implement zero-tariff treatment for African nations holding diplomatic relations, particularly against a backdrop of rising protectionism.
Ba urged Africa to bolster its think tanks and promote an independent narrative to counter stereotypes while enhancing cooperation with China. In May, China extended its zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, a move seen as pivotal for boosting African exports and industrialization in an increasingly protectionist global environment.
The initiative, which has been in place since December 2024 for 33 least developed African countries, is expected to also benefit nations such as Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria. For the next two years, zero tariffs will apply to 20 non-LDC African countries, with plans for a long-term agreement to solidify these conditions.
Sylvia Sinkari, a consultant with the China Europe International Business School Africa, noted that China’s current focus on promoting value-added exports is vital for Africa. “This is an export-led approach that creates opportunities for African economies to move beyond raw commodity exports and develop more competitive, value-added products,” she explained, emphasizing China’s role in enhancing the manufacturing capacities of African nations.
China’s zero-tariff policy has resulted in a significant increase of 21.6 percent in imports from African countries from May to September 2023. Liu Yuxi, Ambassador for the Affairs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, remarked that this initiative is set to not just improve lives but also bolster Africa’s industrialization efforts.
Sinkari views the Yiwu market as a potential model for African businesses aiming to shift from raw material exports to competitive production. She encouraged African governments and businesses to leverage manufacturing capabilities to enhance their export profiles. “You sit with your Chinese partners, you co-create this, and then you sell to the world,” she stated, highlighting the collaborative opportunities presented.
