Reinforcing a Key Trade Corridor

A 48-member African business delegation leveraged the China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) 2025 to deepen trade ties with China, as the announcement of zero-tariff access for African products coincided with the high-impact expo.

Johannesburg, South Africa, 02 July 2025 — African businesses reinforced their commitment to global trade diversification and commercial connectivity with China, at the recently concluded 2025 China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE). A 48-strong delegation of export-ready entrepreneurs and enterprises from 10 African countries showcased high-quality products and engaged directly with Chinese buyers and investors, led by Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking.

CAETE 2025 attracted more than 12,000 delegates and over 2,800 participating organisations, reaffirming its position as the largest Africa-focused trade platform in China. Now in its fourth edition, CAETE is a once-every-two-years platform, launched in 2019 and co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Hunan Provincial Government, to deepen trade and economic cooperation between China and Africa.

“The 2023 edition of CAETE generated over US$10.3 billion in confirmed deals, proof of just how commercially impactful this platform can be for African exporters. This is testament to how Standard Bank is not just enabling trade but also helping businesses across sectors unlock their potential and thrive,” said Bill Blackie, CEO of Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank Group.

“Standard Bank is committed to turning possibilities into opportunities, and opportunities into growth, for the vibrant businesses that power Africa’s economy. We are deliberate about building capacity, opening access, and removing friction so that Africa’s businesses can scale and win.”

Standard Bank, through its 17-year strategic partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and the Hunan Provincial Government, continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating access to Chinese markets for African exporters.

“As China’s largest commercial bank, our collaboration with Standard Bank continues to unlock sustainable trade opportunities for African enterprises,” said Mr Li Li, Chief Representative Officer of ICBC Africa Representative Office. “Demand for Africa’s premium products continues to grow in China, and we are proud to support this enduring partnership.”

Through its Business and Commercial Banking division, Standard Bank facilitated participation from companies across South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda, Botswana, and Malawi.

Products showcased included:

• Agriculture: citrus, avocado, maize, pulses, spices
• Beverages: wine, craft gin, fruit juices, rooibos iced tea, non-alcoholic blends
• Natural wellness: shea butter, essential oils, skincare oils
• Cosmetics and beauty: organic soaps, handmade creams, body care
• Processed foods: dried fruit, sauces, peanut butter, canned goods
• Handcrafted goods and lifestyle: beadwork, wooden homeware, artisan accessories

In partnership with regional agencies and national partners, Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking also provided export readiness support to six emerging South African farmers and producers, through its Enterprise and Supplier Development programme. The bank also sponsored their showcase at CAETE 2025. These businesses produce olive oil, citrus, non-alcoholic beverages, and wine.

To effectively support these exporters, Standard Bank offered a comprehensive range of services, including trade finance, foreign exchange, cross-border payments, logistics support, product registration, and compliance and documentation assistance. These services were specifically designed to support SMEs navigate the complexities of international trade, covering aspects from liquidity and foreign exchange to settlement. The exporters also benefited from business-to-business matchmaking facilitated by ICBC and supported by Mandarin-speaking facilitators and sector specialists.

China’s announcement of zero import duties on goods exported by the 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with it, was also well-timed. “This is extremely significant,” added Blackie. “It reflects the precision and forward-thinking nature of how China implements trade policy. The fact that it was announced on the eve of CAETE underscores the strategic alignment between trade diplomacy and real economic opportunity.”

The Standard Bank trade mission also included the South Africa–China Business Forum, co-hosted by Brand South Africa, ICBC Guangdong, Wesgro, and the South African Consulate-General.

“The collaboration between private and public sector stakeholders enabled ‘Team South Africa’ to make a tangible impact in the Chinese market. When our nation brand value proposition is well understood in the market, there is a much greater propensity for businesses, brands and goods that are closely associated with the country to enjoy acceptance. Inversely, the consistent delivery of high-quality products and services by companies such as Standard Bank and SMEs contributes immensely towards enhancing South Africa’s reputation and attractiveness. In Guangzhou, we witnessed keen interest in understanding access to the South African market – not only by the business community in Guangzhou, but also by the delegates who travelled from Dongguan and Hong Kong to attend the forum. Brand South Africa is encouraged by these developments and looks forward to continuing these collaborative efforts that unlock economic exchanges between South Africa and China”, says Tshepiso Malele, Country Head of China at Brand South Africa.

 Highlighting China’s growing significance as a key trading partner, Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander said: “In 2024, total exports from the Western Cape to China reached R11.76 billion, reaffirming China’s position as one of our most important export markets. As we pursue our bold objective of tripling exports by 2035, deepening our engagement with China will be essential to unlocking new trade opportunities. It is within this context that our participation in CAETE 2025 proved so significant. Enabled by our strategic partnership with Standard Bank Group and ICBC, and in collaboration with the Hunan Department of Commerce, the expo provided a valuable platform to position the Western Cape as a premium export region. It also allowed us to connect local businesses with high-potential buyers across key sectors, bringing our strategy to life in an impactful way. We are deeply grateful to the Standard Bank Group for their continued partnership as we work to expand the Western Cape’s global footprint.”

The success of CAETE 2025 reinforces the value of long-standing partnerships, institutional support, and sustained market engagement in unlocking new trade and investment opportunities. For African exporters, the platform continues to serve as a gateway to one of the world’s largest consumer markets, while strengthening economic ties that are essential for inclusive and sustainable growth across the continent. With the backing of key partners like Standard Bank, businesses are not just gaining access to global markets but are also positioned to scale and drive growth through tailored financial solutions and strategic market entry support.