$196.6bn Record: China-Africa Trade Shifts Toward Industrial Supply Chains

Capital and intermediate goods now make up about 75% of China’s exports to Africa

China-Africa trade reached a record $196.6 billion in the first half of 2026, with trade increasingly centred on machinery, industrial equipment and other goods that support production.

Trade rose to 1.41 trillion yuan, up 19.6% year-on-year, according to the latest figures.

Industrial goods drive exports

About 75% of China’s exports to Africa are now capital and intermediate goods.

These include machinery, power equipment, solar products, industrial components and automotive parts.

In the first half of 2026, Chinese exports of mechanical and electrical products to Africa reached 534.11 billion yuan, an increase of 28.8% year-on-year.

The products support Africa’s power, mining, manufacturing, agriculture and transport sectors.

African exports gain market access

Trade is also growing from Africa to China. China introduced zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing on May 1.

In May and June, Chinese imports from Africa reached 193.8 billion yuan, up 23.5% year-on-year.

African agricultural products, raw materials and other commodities are gaining greater access to the Chinese market.

From trade to industrial cooperation

The figures point to a broader shift in China-Africa economic relations.

The partnership is moving beyond the traditional exchange of finished goods. It is increasingly involving trade, investment, manufacturing, energy and supply-chain integration.

As African countries pursue industrialisation and local processing, cooperation in power, mining, agricultural mechanisation, manufacturing and logistics could become even more important.

What the record means

The significance of the $196.6 billion trade record goes beyond the value of goods exchanged.

It also reflects what those goods are helping Africa build.

China-Africa trade is increasingly evolving from a market for goods into a partnership linked to industrial development and supply chains.