Business · Trade · 15 hrs ago
Yiwu’s trade with Africa grows as exports and imports rise
Yiwu, a Chinese trading city in Zhejiang, is expanding its business links with African countries.
African buyers visit its wholesale markets to source goods ranging from household products to solar equipment.
Yiwu’s exports to Africa reached 1,359.03 billion yuan from January to September 2026, up 30.18% on the same period a year earlier.
Imports from Africa rose 103.7% to 137.7 billion yuan over those nine months, as the city brought in products such as coffee, crafts and nuts.
China began applying zero tariffs to imports from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties on May 1, and Yiwu says the policy reduced import taxes on eligible shipments.
The city is also building trade links through market outlets in Angola and Tanzania and a Yiwu goods store in Kenya.
Yiwu plans to deepen trade and cultural ties, including training for African workers and more events linked to the 2026 China-Africa Economic and Trade and Cultural Forum.
Yiwu’s trade with Africa expanded in 2026, with exports and imports both rising sharply in the first nine months.
The city exported 1,359.03 billion yuan worth of goods to Africa from January to September, up 30.18% year on year.
Imports from Africa reached 13.77 billion yuan in the same period, up 103.7%.
In 2025, Yiwu’s exports to Africa totalled 141.4 billion yuan, about 8.78% of China’s total exports to the continent.
A China-Africa trade and culture forum was held in Yiwu on November 7, 2026.
- Who
- Yiwu, a city in Zhejiang province, and its African trade partners.
- What
- Trade between Yiwu and Africa is growing, with exports and imports both increasing.
- When
- January to September 2026; the article was published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Yiwu, Zhejiang province, China, and African markets.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Yiwu’s exports to Africa totalled 141.4 billion yuan, up 28.4% year on year.
China began applying zero tariffs to imports from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.
Yiwu’s exports to Africa rose 30.18% year on year, while imports rose 103.7%.
Yiwu hosted the 2026 China-Africa Trade and Culture Forum.
- Exports to Africa, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,359.03 billion yuan; up 30.18% year on year
- Imports from Africa, Jan–Sep 2026
- 13.77 billion yuan; up 103.7% year on year
- Exports to Africa, 2025
- 141.4 billion yuan; up 28.4% year on year
- African countries with zero-tariff treatment
- 53
- Forum
- 2026 China-Africa Trade and Culture Forum, held in Yiwu on November 7