HOW IS THE RED SEA CRISIS AFFECTING AFRICAN COUNTRIES?

Starting on November 19, Houthi attacks and counter-strikes on commercial ships transiting through the Bab al-Mandab strait along the Red Sea have been a major disruptor of international trade through this vital artery. A 32km wide channel connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, the strait is a strategic maritime chokepoint. The route […]

What South African Rooibos Tea Can Tell Us About Africa-China Trade Flows

Last month, China’s General Administration of Customs released its customs data for 2023. The data showed that China’s total trade with Africa grew a modest 1.5 percent in 2023, reaching $282.1 billion, but Africa’s trade deficit with China widened. While Chinese exports to Africa reached $173 billion, an increase of 7.5 percent over 2022, Africa’s exports to China dropped by […]

It’s time for African countries to shape the WTO, not just sit in it

At the 50th anniversary celebration of the origins of the international trade system in 1998 in Geneva, Nelson Mandela in his speech said: “The developing countries must accept that we want to be fully part of the WTO, and that includes improving the management of the world trading system to ensure that our economies do […]

Not Just an African Tale: China’s Trade Slowdown from a Global Perspective

In recent weeks, a flurry of articles appeared pointing out that Africa’s biggest bilateral trade partner, China, had significantly slowed its imports from Africa. To prevent another oversimplified doom and gloom narrative about Africa from circulating, we decided to break down the numbers to get a deeper understanding of this phenomenon – something we continuously […]

CIIE: Paving the Way for More African Products in China?

The China International Import Expos (CIIE) has proven to be a great opportunity for African businesses to gain access to China’s vast consumer market, but is it enough? Most African products that have been displayed are agricultural products which limits the CIIE’s impact on lifting African economies to a higher level and showcasing the true […]

Power plays: Why are a wave of African leaders visiting China, despite geopolitics?

Following China’s lifting of its zero-Covid policy in January 2023, there has been a flurry of African leadership visits to China. Within eight months, China has already received seven African Presidents from Tanzania, Algeria, Eritrea, Mauritania, Burundi, Benin and Zambia and five foreign ministers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone […]

A Slice of Opportunity: Benin Joins China’s Fruit Export Market

The recent visit of Benin’s President Talon to China did not hit many international headlines. However, it was particularly interesting for Africans because during the visit he secured a new agreement granting permission to export the West African nation’s fresh pineapples to China. Alongside Kenyan, South African and Tanzanian avocados, Rwandan chilis, South African citrus […]

IT’S A WALK-OFF – TOP AFRICAN FASHION BRANDS TOOK OVER THE 2023 CHINA-AFRICA ECONOMIC AND TRADE EXPO, BUT CAN THEY ACTUALLY TAKE OVER THE CHINESE MARKET? 

In late June 2023, the Africa Reimagined team attended the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) to provide an opportunity for some of Africa’s most innovative and respected brands to test the Chinese market.  This was our third time attending the CAETE, and in our view, this year’s CAETE was the most successful yet with […]

The Rising Demand for African Goods in the Chinese Market

African goods that are growing in demand within the Chinese market

Africa, with its rich natural resources and cultural heritage, has always been pivotal in global trade. Recently, the continent has been experiencing an uptick in its role as a major exporter, especially with the surge of African goods in the Chinese market. As China cements its place in the African trade landscape, its increasing appetite […]

Development Reimagined and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa have signed an MOU to establish  a partnership aimed at boosting Africa-China value-added trade

Development Reimagined (DR) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) have established a partnership that began on 22nd February 2023 after the signing of a joint MOU at the ECA office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The purpose of the ECA and DR partnering is to leverage their networks and expertise to promote African-made […]