Africa’s trade deficit with China hit $101.4 billion in the first 10 months of 2026, representing a 27.73% increase from the corresponding period last year. Total bilateral trade reached a record $346.8 billion, with Chinese exports to Africa rising 24% to $224.14 billion and imports from the continent climbing 20.3% to $122.72 billion. The widening imbalance reflects structural differences in trade, with African countries primarily supplying raw materials such as oil, copper, and lithium while importing higher-value manufactured goods, electronics, and industrial equipment. The imbalance suggests that China’s decision to extend zero-tariff treatment to African imports has done little to address the disparity. Afreximbank warns that unless African countries build stronger regional value chains, improve logistics, develop processing capacity, and strengthen access to trade financing, the continent will continue to derive limited benefits from its trade relationship with China.
