In 2023, the amount of China-Africa will reach a historical peak of 282.1 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 15%。China has maintained its position as Africa's largest partner for 15 consecutive years.
For a long time, Chinese goods have been widely loved by African people, and many electronic products and daily necessities have become indispensable necessities in African life. In recent years, China has continued to expand the scale of imports from Africa, and African businessmen have also actively explored the demand of the Chinese market, and more and more agricultural products with African characteristics have entered the Chinese market, which has become a major highlight of China and Africa.
This is the Idu Industrial Zone in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, where Victor Amer's food processing factory is located. In 2019, Victor Aimer participated in the China International Import Expo, from where he got his first orders from Chinese buyers.
Victor Aymer, Nigerian Food Processor: We found people who needed our products, and then we started, mainly because of the size of the Chinese market, so we focused on China.
In a few years, Victor Aimer's agricultural exports to China have grown from one or two containers at the beginning to 80 containers in 2023, and the category of agricultural products has expanded from the original ginger to sesame, cocoa beans, soybeans, etc. At the same time, in order to promote the best relations with China, in April 2023, Victor Aimer and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council jointly initiated the establishment of the "Export ** Center" to China to help more Nigerian businessmen who are interested in exporting to China to conduct business and jointly promote the best relationship with China.
Victor Emel said that with the adjustment and optimization of China's tariff-free policy for African countries, the scale of African goods entering China will be further expanded, which is also of great significance for promoting global economic development.
Victor Aymer, Nigerian food processor: We always believe in the growth of China and China's economy, this is a huge market, if you have good quality, you will always have a market in China, China-Africa relations will be better, the scale will be larger, which will be beneficial to both sides.
Nigerian scholars said that although Africa's exports to China are mainly based on raw materials and primary products, and its added value is not high, it can also improve the employment and people's livelihood of African countries.
Odilim Nwegbala, Nigerian Development Economist: Jobs can be created, even if it doesn't make much money, the grassroots economy is growing, Africa has to get closer to China, understand what can be done with China, not just sell goods, understand that China can help Africa improve goods and services, so that Africans can see the long-term benefits with China.