Meet China’s Newest E-Commerce Live Streaming Stars: African Ambassadors

The Chinese government launched a new three-month promotional campaign leading up to the FOCAC summit to promote African goods to Chinese consumers on television and via live streaming on popular e-commerce apps. Rather than use celebrities, African ambassadors to China will instead appear on camera to sell their countries’ products. 

Ambassador Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele will be happy to sell you a bag of South African oranges for 77 cents (5RMB) or buy a bag of Ethiopian coffee from Ambassador Teshome Toga Chanaka for a special price of… well… you have to watch to find out. 

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.