A batch of economic and trade cooperation projects with Africa were signed in Changsha on February 10, 2025. Upon implementation, the projects are expected to realize an additional trade volume of seven billion yuan with Africa within the year.

On February 10, a 2025 project-signing and new year kick-off ceremony was held in the Changsha High-speed Rail New Town area in the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone Changsha Area. (Photo/Huang Chao)

A total of ten projects were inked at the ceremony, focusing on increasing investment in Africa, expanding imports of minerals and other bulk goods from Africa, and building a whole ecological industrial chain integrating exploration, mining, logistics, and trade in the mining industry of China and Africa.

As the Pioneering Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, Hunan has strengthened economic and trade cooperation with Africa in recent years. Rwandan dried chili peppers, Kenyan dried anchovies, and Malagasy lamb have been imported into Hunan for the first time in China. The new barter trade business model with Africa has basically taken shape. The Changsha Gaoqiao Grand Market has become a "commercial port" for China-African trade. More than 60 enterprises have been established in the  China-Africa Economic and Trade Headquarters Building.

Hunan-Africa trade has now expanded to almost all countries and regions in Africa. Hunan's trade with Africa maintained an average annual growth rate of 14.3% between 2021 and 2024, with the scale of trade steadily surpassing that of the central and western parts of China.