China has significantly increased its economic engagement with Africa, injecting more than USD 22.85 billion in fresh investments and development financing, and a record-breaking trade volume of USD 134 billion within the first five months of 2025.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Tong Defa, made the disclosure during a quarterly media briefing at his residence in Accra on Wednesday. The session formed part of the Embassy’s regular interactions with the Ghanaian press, offering updates on China’s bilateral relations with Ghana and its broader engagement across Africa.
Ambassador Tong reported that since the last Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, China had committed RMB 13.3 billion (approximately USD 1.85 billion) in new investments and RMB 150 billion (approximately USD 21 billion) in development financing to African nations.
Trade between China and Africa has also reached unprecedented levels, with imports and exports totaling RMB 963 billion (USD 134 billion) between January and May 2025. This represents a 12.4 percent increase over the same period in 2024—making it the highest on record for a five-month stretch.
Ambassador Tong attributed the surge in trade and investment to strengthened economic ties and increased mutual trust between China and its African partners.
He noted that Ghana was particularly well-positioned to benefit from this new wave of cooperation, citing ongoing bilateral discussions and newly signed agreements as proof of the country’s strategic importance in China’s Africa policy.
Ghana’s active participation at recent high-level China-Africa events was also spotlighted. The country was represented by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare at the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinators on FOCAC Implementation and the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, both held in Changsha, Hunan Province, earlier this month.
The Ambassador said Minister Ablakwa held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi—their first official meeting—which focused on strengthening strategic cooperation.
He also disclosed that Ghana’s Trade Minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) firm, setting the stage for technology transfer, industrial investment, and clean energy collaboration.
In addition, Ghana’s delegation visited leading Chinese companies including Huawei Technologies and GAC Group and met with officials in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as part of a broader effort to deepen sectoral cooperation across technology, education, and green innovation.
During the FOCAC coordination meeting, China announced that it would offer zero-tariff access for 100 percent of goods from 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, under a proposed Agreement on Joint Development Economic Partnership. The move is expected to expand market access for Africa’s least developed countries.
China also reaffirmed its commitment to 10 ongoing cooperative initiatives in key sectors such as industrialization, healthcare, education, and the digital economy.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi outlined five guiding principles for future China-Africa relations, including solidarity among Global South countries, openness in trade, shared development, a fair global order, and enriched cultural exchange.
Ambassador Tong emphasized that China’s commitments are not mere diplomatic statements but are backed by substantial financial pledges and implementation records.
The Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo drew over 5,000 enterprises and 30,000 participants from China and African nations. The event saw the signing of agreements worth USD 11.39 billion, bringing the total value of contracts from the past four expos to over USD 50 billion. More than 83 percent of these agreements have reportedly been implemented.
During his remarks, Ambassador Tong drew a contrast between China’s inclusive, development-driven approach to international cooperation and the restrictive policies adopted by other global powers.
He criticized rising protectionism and the imposition of unilateral tariffs by unnamed countries, describing them as obstacles to fair global trade.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to Africa’s modernization agenda, stating that China is ready to share its development experiences to help unlock the continent’s potential.
