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250 million US dollars smashed into the 'mine' path: Ivory Coast sets its sights on the next super business!
Chinese enterprises can not only participate in infrastructure construcA piece of news, opening up a new round of foreign trade opportunities! According to the West African Economic Portal, on June 16th, the Lea Africa Development Company (LEA) signed a cooperation agreement with China Harbour to build a brand new mineral terminal at the port of Abidjan. What kind of foreign trade logic and opportunities are hidden behind this seemingly "engineering" news? What does this mean for African trade chains, mining investors, logistics companies, and even Chinese merchants? What does Ivory Coast want with a $250 million investment? The Port of Abidjan is the economic heart of Cote d'Ivoire and one of the busiest ports in West Africa, with an existing mineral terminal. Why build a second one? The answer is simple: expand the export market and leverage the regional mineral value chain. At first glance, it may seem like building a dock, but you should know that this is not "duplicate construction", but rather a solution to: #The existing terminal has insufficient production capacity and severe congestion; #Reduce the export costs of key minerals such as lithium, zinc, and manganese; More importantly, creating an integrated mineral export channel for West Africa! A port, however, leverages the entire mining chain of West Africa. Why is it a mine? Why now? In recent years, not only has there been a "demographic dividend" in West Africa, but also a concentrated release of mineral dividends. Mali: Lithium mines have proven reserves of over 10 million tons, and the new energy industry urgently needs export channels; Burkina Faso has abundant reserves of non-ferrous metals such as zinc and manganese, but landlocked countries face restrictions on going global; Guinea, Ghana, Sierra Leone: resources such as bauxite, gold, and nickel are competing for development. And Abidjan happens to be the nearest major port to these inland mining areas. Because of this, Cote d'Ivoire plans to not only build docks, but also railways and road corridors to allow "mines to enter the ship's hold directly from the mountains". This is not only improving the efficiency of mineral exports, but also laying a strategic artery connecting West African mining trade. China Harbour has made a move to maximize the value of the project More noteworthy is that China Harbour is responsible for the project construction. This name is well-known in the African infrastructure community. It is the international flagship of China Communications Construction Corporation, with a footprint covering five continents, and is one of the top infrastructure contractors in the world. Operated by China Harbour, it not only means that the project's technical level and execution efficiency are guaranteed, but also implies that this terminal will become a new landing point and window for China Africa mineral cooperation. It can be foreseen that: It can also enter multiple links such as mineral export supply chain, port operation, railway investment, etc; Obtain stable sources of supply in the upstream of the new energy industry chain, such as lithium, manganese, nickel, etc. What can foreign trade professionals do? Mining logistics support: truck rental, parts supply, mechanical maintenance services; Warehousing and packaging: providing customized warehousing and export packing services for mining areas; Import and export trade matching: helping mineral sellers connect with global buyers; Infrastructure project collaboration: such as communication equipment, power engineering, and worker living facilities; Park investment+China Africa cooperation model output: Participate in the joint construction of parks and bonded zones, and output industrial synergy solutions.
2025/06/25 01:45:54    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
GO POST departure! Cross border non trade: Creating a trade ecosystem that understands Africa the most
Recently, 200 new energy vehicles of GO POST have been loaded onto trucks and are heading towards the next station - Nansha Port. With the advancement of the GO POST project, the "last mile" of the African market is being completely rewritten - what changes will it bring to cross-border merchants? GO POST, It is the first green transportation logistics finance platform in West Africa jointly created by Centre African Trade, abbreviated as CAFtrade, and Ivory Coast Post. Africa Trade Center Network: Refactoring Cross border Business in Africa with Platforms GO POST is both a "team" and a "platform". It undertakes the Africa Trade Center Network and is a part of building the infrastructure for cross-border transactions between China and Africa Front end traffic: showcasing high-quality Chinese products through the Africa Trade Center Network digital platform; Mid end experience: Through the Ivory Coast National Exhibition Hall and Comprehensive Bonded Industrial Park, African customers can "see as they believe"; Backend delivery: GO POST local delivery fleet completes the last mile delivery. From being visible, trustworthy, able to buy, able to give, to being able to settle - Africa Trade Center Network+GO POST is the "new operating system" for cross-border business in Africa. What does GO POST bring to merchants? 1. [Delivered] Ivory Coast is just the starting point. GO POST will rely on the 200+outlets of Ivory Coast National Post throughout the country to build a localized distribution network, and create an energy-saving and efficient city level distribution system through pure electric vehicles and electric motorcycles. Next, GO POST will gradually enter other key markets in Africa, supporting the construction of new energy fleets and logistics nodes, and promoting the construction of a unified local delivery system in West Africa. Faster delivery, lower costs, wider coverage, and the last mile is no longer a problem. 2. [Visible] GO POST is equipped with the offline exhibition hall of the Africa Trade Center Network - the Ivory Coast National Exhibition Hall and the Comprehensive Bonded Industrial Park. It is not a single transportation platform, but a "bridge" connecting online shopping and offline purchasing. Merchant samples can be placed in the exhibition hall or display warehouse; African buyers can inspect the goods in person and place orders by scanning the QR code; The system automatically links delivery vehicles; Improved consumer experience and significantly accelerated transaction efficiency; Visible, tangible, and easy to hold, the trust of African buyers has skyrocketed! 3. [Earned] GO POST does not operate in isolation, but is integrated into the cross-border fully managed ecosystem of the Africa Trade Center Network, connecting the four major links of traffic, customers, settlement, and marketing to solve the "pain points" of going global for merchants: Accurately connect with African B-end buyers and provide local buyer resources; Utilize the national exhibition hall and platform mall for joint promotion; Full custody transaction protection, reducing operational risks; From finding clients to final payment, one-stop solution, Africa is no longer difficult to do, as long as you use the right platform! African business is not just about delivering goods, but also about serving customers to their homes. The African Trade Center Network GO POST is reshaping the business logic between China and Africa. Using the dual engines of digitization and localization, turn 'difficult to do in Africa' into 'easy to earn in Africa'.
2025/06/24 01:47:01    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
GO POST sets sail! The first batch of new energy vehicles are about to head to the front line of distribution in Africa!
Under the global trend of green and low-carbon transformation, a cross-border practice of deep integration between Chinese manufacturing and the African market is quietly taking off. This time, we are not 'exporting products', but rather exporting solutions; This time, we are not just transporting a batch of vehicles, but laying a green logistics path for cross-border future. The first batch of new energy vehicles for the non trade cross-border GO POST project is ready to go, with 200 pure electric models on standby, about to sail towards the west coast of Africa - Ivory Coast, opening a new era of green distribution in Central Africa! The first batch of 200 vehicles Not just testing the waters, but setting up formations! ...... Perhaps what you see are 200 new energy vehicles What we see It is the starting point for logistics standardization in emerging markets Perhaps you think this is just an attempt We know that this is a logistics restructuring for the next decade This small step is a big step in the cross-border supply chain From 0 to 1, what we need is not 'quantity', but 'momentum'! Starting from the first stop in Cote d'Ivoire, more African countries will be included in the GO POST network map in the future, gradually forming a strategic matrix of "new energy distribution+cross-border infrastructure". 01 Why Africa? Why now? Africa, the last high growth 'logistics blue ocean' in the world. In Cote d'Ivoire, e-commerce is running at double-digit growth; Urban population continues to concentrate, and last mile delivery has become a new bottleneck; Traditional logistics methods, with high costs, low efficiency, and heavy pollution, can no longer keep up with the times. This is precisely the breakthrough of the GO POST project. It is also a new opportunity for non trade cross-border B2B customers. We brought more than just cars It is a Chinese solution to solve the "last mile delivery difficulty" 02 What is GO POST? The GO POST project is jointly developed by Non Trade Cross Border and Ivory Coast Post, focusing on the construction of West Africa's first "Green Travel Logistics Financial Platform". The project will rely on Ivory Coast Post's 200 nationwide branches to optimize the logistics network layout, solve the "last mile" delivery problem for cross-border merchants, and reduce cross-border logistics costs. At the same time, GO POST will create more business opportunities and development space for non trade cross-border B2B customers. Car from China: Equipped with Chinese made new energy core technology Local recruitment: Assisting local operations and achieving youth employment Resource Integration Platform: Integrating "cross-border e-commerce platforms+offline physical national exhibition halls+regional comprehensive bonded industrial parks" resources to provide global merchants with cross-border Africa full chain trade solutions with Africa One stop logistics: GO POST APP integrates VTC (ride hailing), food delivery, cross-border payment and other functions to achieve "one-stop" logistics services. Low carbon and high-efficiency: reducing hundreds of tons of carbon emissions annually and lowering logistics costs by over 20% 03 What will we do next? In the future, GO POST will collaborate with more partners: Within the year, 200 pure electric vehicles and 500 electric motorcycles will be deployed, gradually covering major cities in West Africa.   By laying out a network of charging stations through postal outlets, we aim to solve the pain points of new energy vehicle range and promote the popularization of electric vehicle travel.   Launch the China Ivory Coast logistics line, shorten the cycle for Chinese goods to enter the African market, optimize cross-border logistics solutions for small packages and loose items, and enable Chinese goods to better enter the Ivory Coast market. The first batch of 200 vehicles is not a small step test of the waters, it's a grand opening! GO POST is not a project, It is a direction, a signal of the times. in the future Who has mastered green delivery, Whoever controls the second half of African e-commerce. If you don't go out to sea, you'll be out! Now? The non trade cross-border GO POST has set sail, What are you waiting for?
2025/06/23 03:28:12    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
Quick Overview of African News: Ivory Coast Promotes Digitalization and Energy Policy Development
African News AFRICAN LATEST NEWS DAILY LATEST NEWS Latest News 01 Ivory Coast improves nuclear energy supporting policies Ivory Coast will become the West African International Telecommunications Digital Technology Center Progress has been made in the digitalization project of healthcare in Cote d'Ivoire Current Affairs News Ivory Coast improves nuclear energy supporting policies According to the INFODROME website in Cote d'Ivoire, in order to align with international standards, improve and regulate the national nuclear energy policy, the Ivorian Radiation Protection, Nuclear Safety and Security Administration (ARSN) recently held a policy revision meeting. With the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the agency has collaborated with local experts to draft a preliminary draft of effective regulations for the use of nuclear radiation, in order to address legislative deficiencies discovered during the Agency's 2021 mission to Science and Technology. The aim is to promote the rational use of nuclear energy technology and effectively mitigate risks. This conference actively invites all stakeholders from scientific public institutions, private sectors, and civil society to participate and provide suggestions, highlighting scientific sovereignty in the development of nuclear energy. Ivory Coast will become the West African International Telecommunications Digital Technology Center According to Agence France Presse, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) African Broadband Regional Conference was held in Cote d'Ivoire from March 26th to 27th, with 11 African countries including Cote d'Ivoire participating. The focus of the conference discussion is on the initiatives of the International Telecommunication Union to accelerate Africa's digital transformation, particularly in infrastructure, training, and innovation. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has selected the Ivorian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARTCI) as one of the African regulatory agencies responsible for implementing the "African Broadband Map". The Ivorian government also hopes to create a telecommunications digital technology center in West Africa through an international partnership agreement. It is reported that the project is funded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with 15 million euros (approximately 16.2 million US dollars) for a period of 4 years, aiming to optimize infrastructure construction, use data to improve decision-making, and attract digital technology investment. Ivory Coast's healthcare digitalization project makes progress According to Agence France Presse, the Implementation Committee of the "Digital Acceleration and Development Plan" (PAPE Digitalisation) of the Ivorian Ministry of Health recently evaluated the pilot phase of the "Plan" project, marking a step forward for the hospital in integrating into the Hospital Information System (HIS) and Computerized Patient History (CPR), and progress has been made in the digitalization project of medical and health care. It is reported that the plan was launched in July 2023 and has equipped 268 medical institutions, including 9 national hospitals (a total of 15), 22 regional hospitals (a total of 22), and 101 private hospitals (a total of 107), with the aim of modernizing medical management. According to data from the Direction de l'informatique et de la sant é digitale, the government has allocated a budget of 60.78 billion colones (approximately $99.7 million) for digital projects in 2025.
WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
2025/06/20 01:30:14
Kenyan tea industry breakthrough battle: how to solve the dilemma of Africa's first tea producing country?
Kenya, a highland country on the equator in East Africa, not only produces running champions, but also cultivates cups of world-class black tea. Little known is that Kenya is the world's largest exporter of black tea, with its tea exported to over 60 countries and regions worldwide, accounting for over 20% of the country's agricultural exports in terms of export revenue. But behind the glory, the Kenyan tea industry is quietly entering a "painful period" - price decline, climate turbulence, aging infrastructure, low-end industrial chain. The 'anxious moment' of a major tea exporting country How important is Kenya's tea industry? A set of numbers is sufficient to illustrate: In 2023, Kenya exported a total of 523 million kilograms of tea, with an export value of nearly 1.3 billion US dollars; The tea industry has directly and indirectly raised more than 5 million people, accounting for nearly 10% of the national population. However, in recent years, Kenyan tea farmers have been facing increasingly difficult times: #International tea price decline: Due to the fluctuating global tea prices, tea farmers are facing unstable income challenges. #Climate change affects yield: The unpredictability of weather conditions has had an impact on tea production. #Outdated processing equipment: Many tea factories have outdated equipment, and there is an urgent need for modernization. The current reality of Kenya's tea industry is that exports are strong while the industry is weak. A large amount of primary black tea "raw materials" are flowing into the markets of South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, with unstable export prices, low bargaining power, and repeatedly compressed profit margins. What can China do to help Kenya? Faced with bottlenecks, the Kenyan government is seeking "industrial breakthroughs", and China has become a potential key partner. In 2024, Kenya's Minister of Agriculture Mithika Linturi explicitly stated, "We hope that China can participate in the modernization of Kenya's tea industry and help us move towards a higher value-added development stage Modern factory investment: from raw materials to high-quality products If Chinese companies participate in upgrading Kenya's tea processing factories, it will help: Upgrade tea grades from raw material output to refined export; Develop extended products such as flavor modulation and tea drink formulas; Introduce automated production lines and green processing technology to improve efficiency and environmental standards. This is not only beneficial for enhancing the added value of exports, but also helps Kenya participate in the competition of the global mid to high end tea market. Agricultural technology cooperation: cultivating stress resistant and high-yield varieties Currently, Kenya is exploring the establishment of an agricultural research and development center with China to study climate adaptive tea varieties. For example, Chinese scientific research forces can participate in the development of: Drought resistant tea tree seedlings; Exclusive fertilizer formula for high mountain tea; Green pest and disease prevention and control system. This type of R&D investment not only helps stabilize production, but also reduces production costs for tea farmers and improves their ability to resist risks. Opportunities for Kenya's tea foreign trade: The positive impact of multiple factors Policy support: The Kenyan government has introduced a series of policies to promote the development of the tea industry. For example, the Kenya Tea Development Authority and Tea Board are working hard to build a national tea brand, increase the added value of tea exports from 5% in 2023 to 50% in 2027, and plan to increase tea exports to over 1.85 billion US dollars by 2027. In addition, the government has exempted the packaging tax on locally produced tea and reduced the management fees paid by tea farmers to factories under the Tea Development Bureau. These policy measures have created a favorable policy environment for the development of tea foreign trade. Market demand growth: The continuous growth of global tea market demand has provided vast space for Kenya's tea foreign trade. Especially in the Asian market, with the improvement of people's living standards and the increasing attention to healthy drinks, there is a strong demand for high-quality tea. Geographical advantages and tea quality: Kenya is located near the equator and has unique natural conditions that are very suitable for the cultivation and growth of tea. The tea produced by it enjoys a high reputation in the international market for its unique flavor and high quality. Kenya is the core production area of global purple tea, with the world's largest plateau purple tea plantation. With the diversification of market demand, purple tea has become more popular in overseas markets in recent years. Some companies have deeply integrated China's millennium tea making wisdom with African native tea varieties, establishing an industrial matrix that integrates raw material cultivation, large-scale production, and quality control assurance, promoting the development of Kenya's purple tea industry. The quality advantage of Kenyan tea has earned it a competitive edge in international tea trade, meeting the demands of the high-end tea market. From the perspective of the Kenyan government, cooperation with China has profound significance. This not only brings direct economic benefits and promotes the recovery of the tea industry, but also has important political significance. On the one hand, it can strengthen bilateral relations and promote cooperation and exchanges in other fields; On the other hand, the revitalized tea industry can improve farmers' livelihoods, reduce poverty, and provide strong support for Kenya's political stability. For Chinese investors, there are also many benefits to investing in Kenya's tea industry. Kenya has high-quality tea raw materials, and investing in local industries can provide a stable supply of raw materials, while utilizing the local labor cost advantage to reduce production costs.
2025/06/19 07:31:38    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
Looking at New Opportunities in Foreign Trade from Africa's GDP Ranking: Who is Rising and Who is Falling Behind?
Africa, long regarded as the 'last economic frontier of the world', is now rapidly evolving into a new hotspot for global investment and trade. In 2025, with the acceleration of global supply chain restructuring and regional economic integration, the African economic landscape is quietly undergoing structural changes. According to the latest forecast data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 2025, the following are the top 10 African countries with the highest GDP in 2025. (Table data sourced from the China Africa Trade Research Center) However, what foreign trade merchants really need to pay attention to is not just 'who is the biggest', but 'who has the most prospects'. Don't blindly follow 'Big Brother', Opportunities often hide in the 'rising stars' On the surface, South Africa has returned to its position as the "number one economy in Africa" with a GDP of over 410 billion US dollars, while heavy industry and mineral exports remain stable. However, with a slow growth rate, an aging structure, and social instability, South Africa is more like a "stagnant economy" with abundant resources but difficult to overcome development bottlenecks. Unless you are engaged in commodity or mineral machinery trade, the opportunity cost of this market is relatively high. Egypt, which briefly topped the list in 2023, has slipped to second place in GDP due to continued currency depreciation and fiscal deficit pressure. For foreign traders, Egypt's unstable financial environment and frequent import restrictions are not ideal for expanding the market. The most surprising thing is the decline in Nigeria. Despite having a population of over 220 million and theoretically being the 'China of Africa', its lagging infrastructure, tight foreign exchange, and volatile policies have caused its GDP to slide to fourth place. For exporters, difficulties in receiving payments, customs clearance, and currency exchange are Nigeria's "three major challenges". Where are the opportunities for foreign trade? Looking at three types of countries for foreign trade opportunities: Excellent structure, stable policies, and good trends From the above list, the countries that truly possess the dual attributes of "economic growth+foreign trade potential" are: Countries with optimized industrial structure and policy friendliness: Morocco, Cote d'Ivoire In recent years, Morocco has been deeply cultivating mid to high end manufacturing industries such as automobiles and aviation components, and actively promoting foreign free trade agreements, becoming a "bridgehead" for North African manufacturing. Ivory Coast, on the other hand, is the most noteworthy dark horse country in this round of rise. By 2025, the GDP will reach 94.48 billion US dollars (IMF), with a steady growth momentum; The core countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) have stable currencies and convenient exchange rates; The inflow of foreign capital is strong, and the construction of ports, highways, and industrial parks is accelerating comprehensively; The rapid development of cashew nut, cocoa and other agricultural processing industries has driven the demand for packaging, machinery, plastics, logistics and other supporting services. Exporters can focus on the "cocoa industry chain extension project" in Cote d'Ivoire, the supporting needs of enterprises settled in the Abidjan Industrial Park (such as plastic sealing machinery, food additives, packaging bags, etc.), as well as the demand for hardware building materials, electrical appliances, and bathroom products in urban residential construction. Countries with relatively stable politics and increasing market capacity: Kenya, Ghana Kenya is the locomotive of the East African economy, with highly developed digital payments, e-commerce, and logistics, making it suitable for Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises to test the waters of light assets. In recent years, Chinese made electronic products and solar energy equipment have been very popular in the local market. Ghana is one of the most friendly business environments in West Africa. The three major industries of gold, cocoa, and petroleum provide stable foreign exchange earnings; At the same time, there is a strong demand for consumer electronics, used cars, and clothing and textiles, making it suitable for developing a "light industry+channel based" foreign trade layout. GDP is just the starting point, The real 'money' lies behind the structure The common mistake that many people make is: As soon as they see a large GDP, they blindly 'rush up'; When you see a small country, you think it has no potential. But the true logic of making money in foreign trade lies not in the total amount, but in the following points: #Is the dependence on imports high? (such as Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana) #Is the penetration rate of Chinese products low? (New Blue Ocean vs. Red Sea Market) #Is the local currency exchange rate stable? Is the payment method mature? #Is there a window period for industrial transformation? Is there any government promotion? For example, although South Africa is large, its local supply chain is complete and foreign investment competition is fierce; On the other hand, although Ivory Coast is not as "high-end" as South Africa, it is increasingly dependent on China's supply chain, has many demand gaps, and relatively less competition, making it more suitable for "beating slow with speed". The GDP ranking is a signal, not an answer. African foreign trade is a long-term battle, and GDP ranking can tell us who is running fast, but to make money from foreign trade, the key is who will spend money, where to spend it, and how to spend it.
2025/06/18 02:11:53    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
Africa AI makes great efforts, and Rocket is the first one to make a move. Those who understand it have gone!
In April 2025, the "African Artificial Intelligence Global Summit" was successfully held in Kigali, Rwanda, and 54 African countries reached a historic consensus - the "African Artificial Intelligence Declaration". This is not only a declaration, but also marks the official launch of a collective digital leap plan worth $60 billion. Yes, you read it right - $60 billion, a super fund established to support the AI ecosystem in Africa, covering the entire industry chain including IT infrastructure construction, AI talent cultivation, entrepreneurship incubation, and open source data governance. By 2030, artificial intelligence is expected to create $2.9 trillion in incremental value for the African economy. For us engaged in foreign trade, this is not a distant 'black technology', but a sufficiently real, specific, and massive emerging market. Why did Africa suddenly start playing with AI? Don't underestimate Africa. Although it was once seen as a "slow digital development zone" due to weak infrastructure and scarce talent, in recent years, Africa has been constantly moving in the field of digital economy The penetration rate of mobile Internet is rising rapidly: The recent report of the International Telecommunication Union shows that the number of Internet users in Africa will increase from 181 million in 2014 to 646 million in 2024, and is expected to exceed 1.1 billion in 2029. In addition, data shows that the growth rate of mobile users in Africa will be 13% higher than the global average in 2024, and it is expected that by 2030, the number of mobile broadband users will exceed 438 million. Accelerating the construction of cloud services and data centers: Microsoft AWS、 Huawei and other tech giants have deployed data centers in countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. The dividend of young population is huge: Africa is the youngest continent in the world, with 60% of its population under the age of 25, making it naturally more receptive to new technologies. Positive policy shift: The African Artificial Intelligence Declaration released in 2025 is the clearest signal that the triple guarantee of "policy+funding+system" has been put in place. At the same time, data from the African Digital Statistics Platform shows that there will be as many as 141 AI related applications in the African mobile application market in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 24% compared to the previous year. There are over 2500 companies involved in the research and application of AI technology on the African continent, with Kenya alone having 204 artificial intelligence companies. In summary, Africa is not suddenly developing AI, but has long been poised to take off, and 2025 is just the official "ignition". Where is the $60 billion AI fund being spent? What inspirations do foreign traders have? infrastructure: Data center, optical network, edge computing equipment The African continent has long lacked a foundation of 'computing power'. This AI fund will focus on investing in regional computing infrastructure, including the construction of local data centers, high-speed mainland backbone networks, and deployment of AI servers. Foreign trade opportunities: The demand for hardware such as server cabinets, optical cables, modular computer rooms, network communication equipment, air-cooled/water-cooled systems, AI acceleration cards, etc. will grow rapidly. The cost-effectiveness advantage of Chinese manufacturing will usher in a wave of "AI hardware export boom". Talent cultivation: Educational equipment, AI teaching platform, remote learning tools According to the declaration, Africa will launch the "AI Universal Education Plan" to rapidly cultivate millions of AI related talents through vocational education, distance learning, skills training, and other means. Foreign trade opportunities: Teaching laptops, smart blackboards, online education platforms (SaaS), voice translation headphones, VR teaching equipment, etc. have become export hotspots. Cross border digital education SaaS solutions also have huge room for expansion. Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Incubators, R&D centers, and support for AI startups Africa plans to establish AI innovation incubation centers in major regions, leveraging the policy advantages of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to achieve cross-border research and development, technology sharing, and industrial chain synergy. Foreign trade opportunity points: China's AI applications (such as visual recognition, voice interaction, intelligent customer service, security monitoring, agricultural intelligence, etc.) can accelerate localized deployment through local incubation channels. The combination of technology output, hardware integration, and service packaging is a highly promising new foreign trade model. Data Governance and AI Ethics: Open data platform, data privacy devices, security framework Africa will establish an AI governance framework that emphasizes' data sovereignty '. In the future, governments and enterprises need to process local data under the premise of "compliance and controllability". Foreign trade opportunities: Local deployment AI platforms (such as private cloud deployment), customized services for open-source AI frameworks, data encryption devices, firewalls, security audit tools, etc. will become key requirements. China's open-source AI ecosystem has the opportunity to become the default choice locally. How can China's foreign trade take off with the wind? If you work in hardware: Please pay attention to data center supporting equipment, educational terminals, IoT devices, AI monitoring systems, and communication infrastructure. If you are a software developer: AI SaaS applications (such as image recognition, speech to text, intelligent translation, ERP systems) can be combined with local incubation policies and promoted through joint ventures or landing companies. If you are an integrated service provider: You can provide a "solution" export: a one-stop AI landing solution from hardware and platform to training and after-sales, especially suitable for the four major industries of education, government, retail, and agriculture. The AI wave in Africa is not a simple replica of the European and American model, but a self reliant rise with a strong sense of 'earth'. It requires both technological innovation and supply chain support; We need both algorithms and screws. Chinese foreign trade enterprises have the intermediate capabilities of being able to land, understanding manufacturing, responding quickly, and having low costs.
2025/06/17 01:40:06    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
Africa News Quick Look: Cote d'Ivoire strengthens agricultural support and promotes diversified industrial development
African News  AFRICAN  LATEST NEWS DAILY LATEST NEWS Latest News 01 Ivory Coast Cotton Cashew Commission expands its functions to the shea butter industry 02Ivory Coast raises $50 million to support cotton and cashew nut cultivation by 2025 03Cote d'Ivoire will promote the development of cocoa agriculture and forestry industry Current Affairs News Ivory Coast Cotton Cashew Commission expands its functions to the shea butter industry The West African Economic Portal reported that the Ivorian Council of Ministers has passed a decision to bring the shea butter industry under the management of the Cotton and Cashew Nut Commission. From today on, the Cotton Cashew Nut Committee will be responsible for planning and supervising the production, processing, and marketing activities of shea butter. Shea butter, especially the cream made from it, is an important raw material for the cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as a significant source of income for farmers in northern China, especially women. At present, the kiwifruit industry has not yet been scaled up or structured, with enormous development potential. However, it also faces many challenges, such as scattered growers, lack of effective organization, uneven quality standards, and difficulty in entering the international market. Ke is a major producer of shea fruit, but still lags behind in processing and export. This announcement aims to strengthen the planning and supervision of the shea fruit industry, with the aim of developing it into one of the levers of economic diversity. Ivory Coast raises $50 million to support cotton and cashew nut cultivation by 2025 According to Agence France Presse, the Ivory Coast Cotton and Cashew Commission (CCA) has signed an agreement with Coris Bank International and Bridge Bank C ô te d'Ivoire to invest a total of 30 billion colones (approximately $50 million) to support the cotton and cashew farming industry in Ivory Coast by 2025. It is reported that the cashew nut harvest is expected to increase by 20% in 2025, reaching 1.15 million tons; The cotton harvest is expected to increase by 1.26%, reaching 352000 tons of seed cotton. According to data from the General Administration of Customs and Excise, the export value of these two commodities in 2023 is 752 billion Spanish francs (approximately 1.25 billion US dollars), of which 84% comes from cashews. Cote d'Ivoire will promote the development of cocoa agriculture and forestry industry According to Agence France Presse, Nestl é, a Swiss agricultural food group, and Ofi, a subsidiary of Olam, a Singaporean company, have launched a cooperation project to develop cocoa agroforestry in three countries - Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Brazil - the world's first, fourth, and sixth largest cocoa bean producers - within the next five years. The project will develop over 72000 hectares of agriculture and forestry, planting 2.8 million trees, with the aim of increasing efforts to combat deforestation and reduce carbon emissions. It is reported that the project mainly benefits the cocoa planting industry, and in recent years, the expansion of cocoa planting has caused the most severe damage to the country's forests. It is worth noting that about 45% of deforestation and forest degradation are attributed to the development of cocoa cultivation. This project reflects the desire of multinational corporations to participate more in the sustainable development of cocoa and bring tangible economic benefits to scientific agriculture.
WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
2025/06/16 01:32:53
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: China will implement 100% tariff free products for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations
On June 11th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian presided over a regular press conference. A reporter asked: Today, the ministerial meeting of the coordinators for the implementation of the results of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation opened in Changsha, Hunan. Can the spokesperson further introduce the specific situation? What is the significance of this meeting in promoting China Africa cooperation? Lin Jian stated that today, the ministerial meeting of the coordinators for the implementation of the results of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation was held in Changsha, Hunan. Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony of the conference and put forward China's five point initiative on promoting high-quality development of China Africa cooperation, pointing out that China and Africa should adhere to mutual assistance and be maintainers of global southern solidarity; Persist in opening up to the outside world and advocate for international free trade; Adhere to mutual benefit and win-win, and be a companion of global development cooperation; Adhere to fairness and justice, and be the defender of the international just order; Persist in communication and mutual learning, and become a promoter of the diversity of world civilizations. The two sides issued the Changsha Declaration on safeguarding global solidarity and cooperation in the South, released the implementation list of the outcomes of the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the concept document of the "China Africa Year of People to People and Cultural Exchanges" in 2026, showing that China and Africa have implemented the outcomes of the Beijing Summit, and also injected new momentum into deepening political mutual trust, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, and promoting people to people connectivity. The 4th China Africa Economic and Trade Expo will be held in Changsha starting tomorrow. In recent years, under the guidance of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, China Africa relations have achieved a leapfrog development. China has achieved full coverage of strategic partnership with all African countries that have established diplomatic relations, and China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. Since last year's Beijing Summit, China has increased its investment in Africa by over 13.3 billion yuan and provided a total of over 150 billion yuan in financial support to Africa. In the first five months of this year, China's imports and exports to Africa reached 963 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.4%, setting a new historical high for the same period. China has always taken strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries as an important cornerstone of its foreign policy, and is willing to work with Africa to solidly promote the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum, carefully plan the future development of the Forum, open the "door to the future" of common development with the "golden key" of China Africa solidarity and cooperation, help Africa's development and revitalization with Chinese path to modernization, and contribute China Africa forces to the realization of unity and self-improvement of the global South and the construction of a community of shared future for mankind. (CCTV reporter Shen Yang)
WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
2025/06/13 01:50:46
China Science and Technology Friendship: Upgrading Cooperation! Where is the new trend in foreign trade?
According to Chinese customs statistics, China has been Ivory Coast's largest trading partner for six consecutive years. In 2023, the total bilateral trade reached 5.28 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 21%. In 2024, although bilateral trade volume has declined, China's position among Ivory Coast's trading partners remains stable. China is the largest source of imports for Cote d'Ivoire. Cote d'Ivoire exports rubber, oil, agricultural products and other goods to China, while China exports electrical appliances and machinery, automobiles, agricultural machinery, steel and other products to Cote d'Ivoire. In addition to trade exchanges, China has also helped Cote d'Ivoire develop its economy and social undertakings through various projects, and the areas of cooperation between the two sides are constantly expanding. Life support, Chinese healthcare rooted in the African continent In the medical field of Cote d'Ivoire, the story of China's medical aid teams to Africa has been written for decades. Since the 1980s, China has dispatched medical teams to Cote d'Ivoire to provide assistance in key areas such as obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, etc., in order to cultivate professional medical talents for the local area. Image source: Economic and Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire Anti malaria center and anti epidemic cooperation In 2021, the COVID-19 swept across Africa, and China responded quickly. On June 23, the first batch of national medicine COVID-19 vaccine was delivered to Abidjan, becoming one of the first countries to provide anti epidemic support to Cote d'Ivoire. Afterwards, China dispatched a team of anti epidemic medical experts to Cote d'Ivoire, not only sharing valuable experience in epidemic prevention and control, but also providing systematic training for local medical personnel to help Cote d'Ivoire enhance its anti epidemic capabilities and build a strong defense line against the epidemic. At the same time, China is actively expanding its presence in the production of antimalarial drugs in Cote d'Ivoire. Fosun Pharma has launched the Cote d'Ivoire Pharmaceutical Park project, planning to achieve localized production of artemisinin based drugs to help solve local malaria prevention and control challenges. Infrastructure cooperation, building a solid foundation for development Image source: Economic and Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire In the capital of Ivory Coast, Abidjan, the infrastructure built with Chinese aid has become a new landmark of the city. From the National Stadium to the Parliament House, these tangible projects carry the friendship between China and science. Currently, a series of key projects undertaken by Chinese companies are being promoted in various parts of Cote d'Ivoire -The Fourth Bridge of Abidjan -Geshipo Popoli Hydropower Station -Yamoussoukro Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) -Bioya 46 MW Biomass Power Plant -Tiebu Expressway -Abidjan Rapid Transit Project These projects not only improved the local infrastructure conditions, but also created a large number of employment opportunities, making practical contributions to the development of people's livelihoods in Cote d'Ivoire. Chinese engineers and workers work side by side with local people, leaving advanced technology and management experience on the African continent. Image source: Xinhua News Agency Education Cooperation: Cultivating Talents and Consolidating the Foundation of Development Education is the cornerstone of national development. China has always regarded education cooperation as an important link in the friendly relationship between China and Cote d'Ivoire, and has trained a large number of professional talents for Cote d'Ivoire.   Luban Workshop Helps Improve Skills In 2020, the "Luban Workshop" jointly established by Tianjin University of Technology and the National Institute of Technology of Cote d'Ivoire was officially unveiled, which is the first engineering education cooperation platform established by China in Africa. Through this project, Ivorian students can learn advanced courses such as mechanical manufacturing and electrical automation, and master practical skills that align with Chinese industries. Heilongjiang Agricultural Engineering Vocational College will also launch a cooperation with Cote d'Ivoire Yakeville Vocational College's Luban Workshop in 2023, focusing on cultivating agricultural mechanization talents.   Scholarships and Confucius Institutes The Chinese Embassy in Cote d'Ivoire has established the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" since 2019, mainly awarded to Ivorian students who excel in both academic and moral aspects of Chinese language learning. The Confucius Institute at Bowani University in Abidjan not only teaches Chinese, but also promotes mutual understanding between the two peoples through cultural activities.   Image source: Economic and Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire Logistics revolution, green channel opens up the 'last mile' For foreign trade enterprises, the biggest pain point that Cote d'Ivoire once faced was undoubtedly logistics difficulties. The delivery rate of cross-border packages is only 33%, and the transportation cost is three times that of developed countries. Problems such as weak road infrastructure and missing address libraries have made merchants suffer greatly. Now, GO POST's innovative projects will change this situation. Non trade cross-border partners with Ivory Coast Post to launch West Africa's first "Green Travel Logistics Finance Platform" and build a new logistics ecosystem. Relying on the distribution network built by over 200 postal outlets across Cote d'Ivoire, the GO POST project effectively solves the last mile delivery problem for cross-border merchants. The project uses 100% pure electric vehicles and electric motorcycles, which have undergone rigorous performance testing and range optimization, reducing the cost of same city delivery by 20%. Foreign trade fertile ground, policy dividends unleash market potential In the World Bank's "Doing Business 2020" report, Cote d'Ivoire ranked 110th out of 190 economies worldwide and was named the "Best Reformer in West Africa". For Chinese merchants, Ivory Coast is undoubtedly a market full of opportunities. The growing development needs of Cote d'Ivoire are in line with the strong infrastructure capabilities and manufacturing advantages of Chinese enterprises. In recent years, the Ivorian government has implemented a policy of "developing product processing industry, reducing raw material exports, and increasing product added value". Chinese businesses can focus on the following areas: 1. Agricultural product processing: Ivory Coast's cocoa, coffee, palm oil and other agricultural products require Chinese processing equipment and technology.    2. Green energy: Cote d'Ivoire plans to expand biomass power generation and solar energy projects, and Chinese companies can participate in equipment supply.    3. Infrastructure: Projects such as the PK24 Industrial Park in Abidjan and the Odienne Mali Highway are still underway, with strong demand for building materials and construction machinery.  
2025/06/12 07:28:18    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
The data has reached a new high! What are the new opportunities for foreign trade in the explosive growth of the African market?
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs on June 9th, the total import and export volume of China to African countries reached 963.21 billion yuan in the first five months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 12.4%, setting a new historical high for the same period and accounting for 5.4% of China's total import and export value. Among them, the export value was 599.57 billion yuan, an increase of 20.2%; The import volume was 363.64 billion yuan, an increase of 1.6%. Source: Xinhua News Agency This set of data undoubtedly sends a strong signal: Africa is becoming a highly potential hotspot in the global trade landscape, bringing unprecedented opportunities for foreign trade to countries. Africa's' demographic dividend 'and economic vitality Africa is known as the 'world's last super demographic dividend market', with a population of over 1.4 billion in 2023 and a median age of only 20 years old, far lower than China's 37 years old and Europe's 43 years old. This means that Africa has the largest young labor force in the world. According to the International Monetary Fund's forecast, the population of sub Saharan Africa is expected to double in the next 30 years, from approximately 1 billion to 2 billion. The rapid growth of the young population has directly driven the expansion of the consumer market, especially in industries such as daily chemical, home appliances, food, and clothing, where tens of millions of new consumers are becoming targets for global enterprises to compete for. Meanwhile, Africa's economic growth continues to lead the world. The latest data from the African Development Bank shows that the economic growth rate in Africa will be 3.7% in 2024, exceeding the global growth rate of 3.2%; It is expected to further increase to 4.2% by 2025. Ethiopia, Niger, Rwanda and other countries are even expected to achieve high-speed growth of 7%. Behind this economic vitality is the acceleration of Africa's urbanization process - as of 2023, the proportion of urban population has reached 43%. According to the comprehensive forecast of the United Nations and the African Development Bank, by 2050, Africa is expected to have 2500-3000 cities with a population exceeding 100000. Urbanization brings not only infrastructure demand, but also huge market space in areas such as housing, transportation, education, and healthcare. The 'Golden Age' of China Africa Trade Data from the first five months of 2025 shows that China's exports to Africa have significantly increased to 35.3%, becoming one of the fastest-growing markets. Behind this is the promotion of the "the Belt and Road" initiative and China Africa in-depth cooperation in infrastructure construction, agricultural cooperation, public health and other fields. Taking Hunan as an example, the total import and export volume of Hunan to Africa has grown at an average annual rate of 23.1% in the past three years, ranking first in the central and western regions. In May 2024, Zoomlion delivered a 1250 ton crawler crane to South Africa, becoming the largest tonnage crawler crane in Africa, marking the increasing recognition of China's high-end equipment in the African market. In addition, Hunan's traditional advantageous industries such as engineering machinery and agricultural technology are highly complementary to Africa's demand for infrastructure and agricultural modernization. The Fragmentation Dividend of the African Market Africa is not a unified market, but a diverse continent composed of 54 recognized sovereign countries and regions. This' fragmentation 'is both a challenge and an opportunity. Taking East Africa as an example, countries such as Tanzania and Kenya have become the focus of attention for Chinese enterprises due to their abundant resources, stable political situation, and rapidly growing economy. Tanzania's GDP will reach 79.158 billion US dollars in 2022, with an average annual growth rate of about 6.5% in the past 10 years, with particularly outstanding growth rates in the mining, construction, and transportation industries. As the gateway to East Africa, Kenya's rise in the digital economy is even more remarkable - as of 2024, M-Pesa has approximately 38 million users, accounting for 68% of Kenya's total population (about 56 million), making it a leading representative of "Digital Africa" globally. In West Africa, countries such as Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire have enormous potential for resource development and manufacturing. Meanwhile, as one of the most mature economies in Africa, South Africa's high-end manufacturing and service markets are more attractive. It is worth noting that the promotion of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is breaking down regional barriers. With the deep integration of a unified market with a population of 1.4 billion, this continent is expected to release unprecedented growth momentum and inject new vitality into the global trade pattern. How can Chinese companies seize opportunities? The uniqueness of the African market requires Chinese companies to adopt a "localization+innovation" strategy. For example, although Africa's digital infrastructure started relatively late, its development speed is astonishing - the smartphone penetration rate has approached 50% and is expected to reach 88% by 2030. This means that Chinese companies can quickly penetrate the market through digital means. In Kenya, the popularity of mobile payment platform M-Pesa has given rise to a "cashless society", while Chinese cross-border e-commerce companies have opened up the local African market by integrating local payment tools. In addition, Africa's Bottom of the Pyramid Market (BOP) holds enormous opportunities. For example, the East African region sees millions of new people without electricity every year, and the annual sales of solar home systems have exceeded millions of sets; The maternal and child products market has exploded due to population growth, and baby diapers have become a popular category in supermarkets; In the field of agriculture, China's hybrid rice technology is being promoted in Africa to help increase local food production. These seemingly niche demands are precisely the driving force behind the growth of the African market. Assistant Minister of Commerce Tang Wenhong previously stated that in 2024, the trade volume between China and Africa reached $295.6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.8%, setting a new historical high for the fourth consecutive year. China has maintained its position as Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. Next, the Ministry of Commerce will continue to work with relevant departments to support the least developed countries, especially those in Africa, in fully utilizing preferential policies and continuously expanding the scale and categories of exports to China. Africa Trade Center Network sincerely welcomes ambitious individuals to join and explore the vast blue ocean of the African market together!
2025/06/11 01:40:55    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
Capturing Ivory Coast's agricultural resources: from "two-way rush" to "win-win situation across the entire region"
Ivory Coast, a country located in West Africa, has agriculture as its economic foundation. The country has fertile land and a suitable climate, providing unique conditions for agricultural development. Cocoa and coffee are important economic crops, with exports accounting for 14.2% of GDP. Ivory Coast is the world's largest cocoa producing country, accounting for about 40% of global cocoa production, and its cocoa industry holds a pivotal position in the global market. In the coffee industry, it has also won a certain share in the international market with high-quality coffee beans. The palm oil industry should not be underestimated, as data shows that the country's rubber production has surged from 815000 tons in 2019 to 1.55 million tons in 2023, making it the third largest rubber producing country in the world. In addition to cash crops, Cote d'Ivoire has also made some progress in the field of food crops. The main crops include corn, millet, sorghum, rice, cassava, yam, etc. But currently, we cannot be completely self-sufficient in grain, and 60% of our annual rice consumption needs to be imported. However, in recent years, the export volume of tropical fruits has increased, and bananas, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, and other fruits have gradually emerged in the international market. In terms of animal resources, Cote d'Ivoire has abundant fishery resources. Its coastline is 550 kilometers long, and there are 150000 hectares of lagoons and about 350000 hectares of Rivers and Lakes. There are various types of marine fish such as tuna, sardines, and eels in coastal waters, and freshwater fish such as barracuda, winterfish, and carp in lagoons, rivers, and lakes. Abidjan is the largest tuna export port in West Africa, with an annual export volume of approximately 270000 tons, mainly exported to the European Union. Forestry also plays an important role in the national economy of Cote d'Ivoire and is the third largest timber exporting country in Africa, producing precious tree species such as African rosewood and sandalwood. As the guest country of honor, China's participation in this exhibition undoubtedly brings new opportunities for cooperation between the two sides in the fields of agriculture and animal resources, and also presents broad opportunities for Chinese foreign trade enterprises. In terms of agricultural technology output, China has mature and advanced agricultural technologies, such as the smart agriculture system. In the agricultural production of Cote d'Ivoire, many aspects are still relatively traditional and efficiency needs to be improved. China's smart agriculture technologies, including precision irrigation, drone crop protection, intelligent greenhouses, etc., can help Cote d'Ivoire improve agricultural production efficiency and increase agricultural product yields. For example, in the Gegedu Reclamation Area, after welcoming the first batch of Chinese agricultural technology cooperation groups in 1997, and after nearly 30 years and 11 rounds of efforts by non-agricultural experts, it has now become a well-known rice planting base in Cote d'Ivoire. China's rice varieties and planting techniques have increased the average yield of local rice from 2.5 tons per hectare to 4 tons, with some demonstration households reaching more than 5 tons. The yield of specific varieties (such as C26) can reach 7 tons, achieving a significant increase in yield. In the field of agricultural product processing, although Cote d'Ivoire has abundant agricultural resources, its processing capacity is relatively weak. Chinese companies can invest in building agricultural product processing plants locally, such as rubber processing plants. The first rubber processing plant of Meilan Group (Hong Kong) Limited in Cote d'Ivoire was put into operation in 2020, and the second plant was completed and put into operation two years later. Within five years, Meilan Group invested in the construction of three rubber processing plants in Cote d'Ivoire. At present, the total annual production capacity of the three factories is about 400000 tons, equivalent to one-third of the annual rubber production in Cote d'Ivoire. Through processing, not only does it increase the added value of local agricultural products, but it also provides higher quality raw materials for the Chinese market. Moreover, with the operation of the processing plant, it can also drive local employment, promote economic development, and form a win-win situation. In terms of agricultural machinery exports, China's professional agricultural machinery plays an important role in improving the agricultural production efficiency of Cote d'Ivoire. In Ivory Coast's agricultural production, the degree of mechanization is relatively low, relying heavily on human and animal labor. Chinese agricultural machinery such as tractors, harvesters, and seeders can effectively solve this problem. For example, on May 31st, the handover ceremony of agricultural equipment and rice varieties between China and Cote d'Ivoire was held in the Guedu Reclamation Area. China brought advanced agricultural equipment such as combine harvesters, rice selection machines, small rice mills, and tractors to rice growers in Cote d'Ivoire, which significantly improved the production efficiency of farmers in the reclamation area. In terms of animal resource trade, China's advanced animal husbandry technology and equipment can also be introduced to Cote d'Ivoire to help its animal husbandry development and further expand the scale of animal product trade. When the "Chinese solution" is deeply integrated with "African resources", a new agricultural landscape that moves from "cooperation" to "symbiosis" is slowly unfolding.
2025/06/10 01:47:36    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
Don't let the rainy season ruin your order! I don't understand the rainy season rules in Cote d'Ivoire=one year of dry work!
According to Abidjan.net in Cote d'Ivoire, on June 4th, there was rainfall in Sud Como é, Abidyan district, Grands Ponts, Gbokl è, M é, Loh Djiboua, and San Pedro areas; On the 5th, in addition to the municipal government of Abidjan district, the areas of Folon, Kabadougou, Bagou é, M é, San Pedro, Grands Ponts, and Sud Como é were also affected; On the 6th, communes in the districts of Abidjan, Tonkpi, Gu é mon, Cavally, Grands Ponts, M é, and Sud Como é continued to maintain yellow alert. What does yellow alert mean? Just a reminder to everyone that this weather is a bit stubborn, with the possibility of rain, strong convection, and so on. When going out, be cautious and don't be fooled by the weather. Geographical code of Cote d'Ivoire: The script for the rainy season has already been written 1. Climate zoning: North South differences determine the rhythm of the rainy season The climate of Cote d'Ivoire is divided into two halves by the 7 ° N line: -Southern region (tropical rainforest climate): Annual average temperature of 25 ℃, high humidity, with rainfall concentrated in April July and September November;    -Northern region (tropical grassland climate): The average annual temperature is slightly higher, with a rainy season from May to October and a long dry season.    In 2023, the rainfall in southern Abidjan reached 1800 millimeters, while in northern Bouake it was only 1200 millimeters, directly affecting the pace of agriculture and logistics in both areas. 2. Terrain influence: the "rainy season game" between mountains and plains -Coastal plain: the terrain is low and flat, drainage is difficult, and rainstorm is easy to cause waterlogging;    -Western mountainous areas: Ningba Mountain (1752 meters above sea level) intercepts the monsoon and becomes a "natural pumping station" for rainy season precipitation;    -Rivers are densely distributed: the Bandama River, Sassandra River, and other rivers flow southward into the Gulf of Guinea, causing water levels to skyrocket during the rainy season, posing a threat to coastal villages.    The Rainy Season Survival Handbook for Foreign Trade Professionals: Comprehensive response from logistics to contracts 1. Logistics Challenge: Not using umbrellas on rainy days reduces foreign trade by half -Land transportation paralysis: Muddy roads lead to a 20% -40% decrease in truck traffic efficiency;    -Shipping delay: As the largest port in West Africa, Abidjan Port reduces container loading and unloading efficiency by 20% during the rainy season;    -Air freight alternative plan: During the rainy season, the on-time performance of flights at Abidjan Airport decreased by 15%, but priority was given to ensuring the transportation of fresh food and emergency supplies.    Response suggestions: #Plan transportation routes in advance and avoid low-lying areas;    #Sign a "Rainy Season Urgent" agreement with local logistics companies, reserving 10% of transportation buffer time;     #Use waterproof packaging to prevent moisture from affecting the goods (especially agricultural products such as coffee and cocoa). 2. Warehouse management: The warehouse is the "battlefield" -Waterproof and moisture-proof: During the rainy season, the humidity in the warehouse can reach over 90%, and dehumidification equipment and waterproof tarpaulins need to be equipped;    -Inventory turnover: Clean up unsold goods before the rainy season to avoid depreciation of goods due to rainwater immersion;    3. Contract terms: Even on rainy days, accounts must be settled -Delivery terms: Clearly define the scope of "force majeure" in the contract, and include heavy rain delays in the exemption clause; -Price fluctuation: The increase in logistics costs caused by the rainy season (such as a 30% increase in truck freight) requires advance negotiation and allocation mechanism; -Payment method: Priority should be given to using letter of credit (L/C) to avoid disputes caused by delayed payment. 4. Safety and Compliance: Even in rainy weather, one should "follow the rules" -Flood control safety: Avoid conducting temporary operations in low-lying areas;    -Compliance risk: During the rainy season, the government strengthens safety production inspections, and violators may face high fines;    -Cultural sensitivity: During the rainy season, Ivorians pay more attention to family reunification and avoid arranging emergency business negotiations.    Hidden Opportunities in the Rainy Season 1. Market demand: Business opportunities for rain gear and emergency supplies -Rain gear hot selling: The sales of raincoats, rain boots, and folding umbrellas grow rapidly during the rainy season;    -Emergency supplies: The demand for waterproof tents, portable drainage pumps and other equipment has surged.    2. Cultural resonance: impressing customers with the "rainy day economy" -Product design: Launch rainy season themed products (such as waterproof packaged chocolate gift boxes);    -Service innovation: Providing a "worry free rainy season" logistics commitment to win customer trust.   
2025/06/09 02:10:15    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
African water purification market: water dilemma, pain and business opportunities on the African continent
In many African documentaries, we often see scenes like this: people carrying buckets on their heads, walking on long and rugged roads, going to faraway places to fetch water, and the water they bring back is still murky and full of sludge. Between illness and thirst, they reluctantly chose the latter, which is the true situation of drinking water in most parts of Africa. In sub Saharan African countries, over 400 million people lack safe drinking water, particularly in rural and urban slums. According to data from the United Nations, only about 60% of the population in sub Saharan Africa has access to basic drinking water services. The rest can either rely on river water, well water, or even 'collecting rainwater', or buy bottled water at a high price. Even in urban areas, tap water may not be safe. The working class in Nairobi have found that drilling water often contains excessive fluoride, and long-term consumption can cause permanent discoloration of teeth - locally known as "fluorosis".    So, water purification products have become the "essential needs of people's livelihood" that are about to emerge in this huge market. 【01】 Don't underestimate the weight of this saliva: How big is the market supported by a glass of water? In a middle-class family in Nairobi, Kenya, a small desktop water purifier priced between $60-150 can sell hundreds of thousands of units per year. More and more families are becoming accustomed to purchasing water purification equipment instead of relying on water tankers to deliver water or drinking bottled water. The African water purifier market was only worth 325 million US dollars in 2016, but has expanded to 760 million US dollars by 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of up to 12.9%. According to Statista's data, it is expected that the market size of water purification equipment in Africa will exceed 10 billion US dollars by 2030. This does not include the markets for rural drinking water systems and industrial and commercial water treatment equipment that are currently under construction. Simply put, the clean water market in Africa is a typical combination of "huge demand+weak foundation+rapid growth" opportunities. 【02】 The government provides funding, NGOs contribute, Water purification system 'bringing funds into the team' You may not know that many clean water projects in Africa are heavily funded by governments and international organizations. For example, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank invest billions of dollars annually in rural drinking water projects in African countries. Uganda, Tanzania, Mali and other countries have annual bidding projects for water purification equipment, with demands including: Small scale reverse osmosis water purification system Ultraviolet Solar powered water purifier Mobile water quality testing equipment These devices not only need to be "user-friendly", but also "durable", as remote villages are not inspected by technicians every day. In other words, if you are an equipment manufacturer or trader, you can focus on these NGO/government projects for deep cultivation. Not only is the payment guaranteed, but the volume is also astonishing. 【03】 Rise of the Middle Class: The 'consumption upgrade moment' for household water purifiers Apart from the construction of clean water infrastructure in remote areas, do not overlook the "consumption upgrade" of urban households. With the rise of the middle class in African cities, more and more families are demanding higher standards for drinking water safety. In countries such as South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya, small water purifiers have become a "new necessity" for household appliances Desktop ultrafiltration water purifier: suitable for home kitchens, affordable price, and easy installation. Portable water purification bucket with water storage function: used in areas with emergency water shortage or no water supply network. Intelligent water purification cup/filter kettle for detecting water quality: popular among young people and foreigners. 【04】 Selling water purifiers is not as good as selling services: Maintenance=Long term source of income Do you think selling water purification equipment is enough? wrong! The water purification market in Africa also has a 'hidden Easter egg' - after-sales service can make you laugh.    Why? Due to the unstable power supply and high demand for equipment maintenance in Africa; In addition, the water quality is complex, and the frequency of filter replacement far exceeds other regions. This means that not only can you sell equipment, but you can also earn long-term money by "regular inspections+filter sales".    For example, a water purification company in Africa signs a "contract maintenance plan" to collect a fixed fee from customers every year, responsible for equipment cleaning, filter replacement, and even troubleshooting. This model is both stable and sustainable, it's like the rhythm of 'lying down counting money'.    The key to the African market has never been 'whether there is an opportunity', but 'whether you dare to do it'. The field of water purification equipment is not a new concept, but in Africa, it is on the eve of an explosion. No matter if you work in home appliances, building materials, hardware, plastic buckets, or even an app, as long as you can find a positioning around "clean water" - selling products, services, consumables, and systems - there is always room for improvement! Africa Trade Center Network sincerely welcomes ambitious individuals to join and explore the vast blue ocean of the African market together!
2025/06/06 02:13:07    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
Exploring Business Opportunities in Africa: Zimbabwe, a Land of Revitalization Opportunities in Southern Africa
On the other side of the world, Africa is like a hidden treasure trove. When you truly approach it, you will discover the vastness of Africa and its infinite opportunities! Today, we turn our attention to Zimbabwe, the land of rejuvenation opportunities in southern Africa. Unique resource endowment Zimbabwe has a land area of approximately 390000 square kilometers and a population of over 16 million. This land is rich in diverse natural resources, laying a solid foundation for economic development. In terms of mineral resources, Zimbabwe's gold reserves rank among the top in Africa and are widely distributed, with large-scale gold mining activities in multiple regions. In addition, mineral resources such as platinum, chromium, nickel, and coal are also extremely abundant. Platinum reserves rank among the top in the world, and chromite reserves rank second in the world. These high-quality mineral resources have attracted the attention of many international mining companies. At present, Zimbabwe's mining development still has enormous potential, and there is an urgent need for external investment and technical support in areas such as mining technology improvement and ore deep processing. Agricultural resources should not be underestimated. Zimbabwe has vast arable land and suitable climate conditions for the growth of various crops, and is known as the 'bread basket of southern Africa'. Tobacco is an important economic crop, with high-quality tobacco leaves and a high reputation in the international market. Its export volume has long been among the top in the world. In addition to tobacco, crops such as corn, cotton, and coffee are grown on a large scale and have natural advantages for developing organic agriculture. However, due to aging agricultural infrastructure and outdated irrigation technology, crop yields have not yet reached ideal levels, which has also brought broad space for foreign trade cooperation in the agricultural sector. The field of foreign trade cooperation with enormous potential (1) Mining development and deep processing Zimbabwe's mining industry is in a critical stage of transformation and upgrading, urgently requiring advanced mining equipment and technology. China has rich experience and mature technology in the field of mining, and there is broad room for cooperation between the two sides. For example, in gold mining, Chinese companies can introduce advanced underground mining equipment and intelligent beneficiation systems to improve the efficiency and purity of gold mining; In the deep processing of minerals such as platinum and chromite, China's metallurgical technology and equipment can help Zimbabwe produce high value-added metal products such as stainless steel and special alloys, enhancing the competitiveness of the products in the international market. Both parties can also cooperate to construct a comprehensive utilization project of mineral resources, carry out secondary development of tailings, and achieve maximum utilization of resources. (2) Development of Agricultural Modernization Agriculture is a key area of foreign trade cooperation in Zimbabwe. In response to the current problems facing agricultural development, China's agricultural technology and equipment can play an important role. In terms of irrigation technology, China's drip and sprinkler irrigation systems can effectively solve the problems of water scarcity and low irrigation efficiency in Zimbabwe, and improve crop yield and quality; In the field of agricultural machinery, tractors, harvesters, seeders and other equipment suitable for local terrain and planting patterns can significantly improve the mechanization level of agricultural production. In addition, China has rich experience in agricultural product processing and can cooperate with Zimbabwe to build tobacco drying plants, cotton textile plants, juice processing plants, etc., extending the agricultural industry chain and increasing the added value of agricultural products. Meanwhile, leveraging China's e-commerce platforms and marketing channels, we aim to promote high-quality agricultural products from Zimbabwe to the global market. (3) Infrastructure construction In order to further unleash its economic potential, Zimbabwe has an urgent need for infrastructure construction. In the field of transportation, the road and railway networks require large-scale upgrading and renovation. China has strong capabilities in road and bridge construction, railway engineering, and other areas, and can participate in Zimbabwe's road renovation and expansion projects to improve road traffic capacity; Assist in the construction of modern railways, strengthen connectivity between various regions within the country and with neighboring countries. In the field of energy, Zimbabwe is facing the problem of insufficient power supply. China has advantages in the development of renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower stations, as well as the upgrading of thermal power technology. Both sides can cooperate to develop energy projects to ensure the electricity demand for industrial production and residential life. The construction of communication infrastructure is also crucial. China's experience in 5G technology, communication equipment manufacturing, and network construction can help Zimbabwe improve its communication level and promote the development of the digital economy. (4) Tourism development Zimbabwe has unique tourism resources, and Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Its majestic atmosphere attracts tourists from all over the world. In addition, Zimbabwe has numerous wildlife conservation areas and historical sites, such as Wanji National Park and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, which provide favorable conditions for the development of ecotourism and cultural tourism. At present, Zimbabwe's tourism supporting facilities are relatively backward, and the level of services such as hotels, catering, and transportation needs to be improved. Chinese tourism enterprises can participate in the construction of local tourism facilities, invest in the construction of high-end hotels and characteristic homestays; Develop diversified tourism products and routes, such as waterfall exploration tours, wildlife viewing tours, historical and cultural tours, etc; At the same time, through tourism promotion and advertising, more Chinese and other tourists are attracted to Zimbabwe, promoting the prosperity and development of the tourism industry. Risk and Challenge Response Although Zimbabwe is full of development opportunities, foreign trade cooperation also faces some risks and challenges. The past economic instability has led to problems such as inflation. Although the current economic situation is gradually improving, there is still a certain degree of uncertainty. In addition, issues such as weak infrastructure and shortage of technical talents may also have an impact on the progress of investment projects. In response to these risks, enterprises should conduct sufficient market research and risk assessment before investing, and develop reasonable investment strategies. When cooperating with local enterprises, pay attention to cultivating local talents and improving the local operational capabilities of the enterprise; At the same time, actively participate in infrastructure construction projects and improve the investment environment. Through close cooperation with the Zimbabwean government and businesses, we can jointly address challenges and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
2025/06/05 01:49:47    WeChat official account "Centre African Trade (CAftrade)"
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