China’s Hunan Province Boosts Status as African Trade Hub

File image of customs officers at Changsha's Huanghua International Airport in China's central Hunan province inspect fresh-cut roses imported from Africa. Image via Xinhua.

Trade between the African continent and the central Chinese province of Hunan grew to $7.79 billion in 2023. The increase solidifies Hunan’s status as a center of African agricultural trade. The province was integrated into regional transport networks, which positioned it as a fresh commodities hub.

This saw African agricultural imports to the province jump by 90% in the first quarter of 2023. Hunan also hosts the annual China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, which has boosted trade as part of forging “green lanes” for agricultural products from the continent.

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by Cobus van Staden

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