Trade relations between China and Africa has hit the 282 billion dollar mark. This has manifested in business collaborations such as steel production to green innovations like solar-powered hydrogen logistics among others.

Vice Chairman of the China Africa Business Council, Catherine Zhang, disclosed this at a recent Business forum and shed light on the growing partnerships between Chinese and African businesses. that trade between the two regions has soared to $282 billion this year. Zhang is the chief executive of Rockcheck Group.She spoke on the roundtable organised by the Japanese government and the Fund for the African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA).

Also speaking at the roundtable, Solomon Quaynor, Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialization at the African Development Bank, emphasizing Africa's ambitious vision for industrializing the green minerals sector. “Africa is not going to really adopt the old industrialization approach when it comes to green minerals. We want to move up that value chain.” He highlighted ongoing efforts by institutions like the African Finance Corporation and the African Development Bank to provide the necessary equity and debt support for these transformative projects.

“Africa's strategic move to elevate its mineral exporting status to high-value manufacturing is just timely—it's imperative. For investors, entrepreneurs, and governments alike, the panel painted a vivid picture of a collaborative future. There is a wealth of opportunity at hand, and with the right partnerships and financing mechanisms, Africa is ready to claim its rightful role in the global economy as a leader in green technology manufacturing. The continent stands at the forefront of harnessing its resources for transformative growth, and the world should pay attention”.

Catherine Kim of the South African Chamber of Commerce in Korea offered insights into the challenges of global supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly for South Korea, which relies heavily on trade. According to her, supply chain resilience and strategic partnerships are vital for a successful production cycle. This dependency on external sources, she explained has led South Korean firms, including giants such as Samsung and LG, to explore new partnerships within Africa, particularly in Zambia’s mineral sector, ‘as they look to secure their supply chain for critical minerals’.