On November 7, the 2026 China-Africa Economic, Trade and Culture Forum opened in Yiwu, marking 70 years of China-Africa diplomatic ties and the China-Africa People-to-People Exchange Year. Yiwu International Trade City gathers 26 categories and over 2.1 million products, with African buyers active across the Global Digital Trade Center and trade marts.
In the first nine months of 2026, Yiwu's exports to Africa reached 135.903 billion yuan, up 30.18% year on year, with 24 African nations each exceeding 1 billion yuan. Yiwu Market branches have opened in Angola and Tanzania, the Yiwu Selection Africa first store launched in Kenya, and B2B platform Egatee operates from Yiwu. Since China's zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries took effect on May 1, Yiwu's imports from Africa rose 103.7%.
Yiwu is both a gateway for African goods into China and a redistribution hub for re-export.
Source: People's Daily
