Senior officials and business leaders at the China–Africa Entrepreneurs Summit have called for deeper cooperation to drive shared development across the continent and strengthen economic ties with China.
The inaugural summit was held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, jointly organised by the Chinese Mission to the AU, the AU Commission, and the China Chamber of Commerce to Africa.
A New Phase of China–Africa Economic Engagement
Held under the theme “Deepening Practical China–Africa Cooperation and Embarking on a New Journey for Development,” the gathering brought together:
- AU leadership
- Senior Chinese and African officials
- Diplomats
- Business representatives from both regions
Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie said Africa is now a “present reality” for investment thanks to the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He emphasised that China–Africa cooperation is built on mutual respect and urged a shift toward a multi‑layered partnership driven by entrepreneurs and innovators.
Calls for Stronger Business‑Led Collaboration
Participants encouraged entrepreneurs to:
- Engage more actively in cross‑border exchanges
- Use zero‑tariff measures and investment facilitation agreements
- Leverage existing economic and trade dialogue platforms
- Explore new opportunities in digital technology, green energy, and industrialisation
Li Qingyong, president of the China Chamber of Commerce to Africa, said the chamber remains committed to helping Chinese enterprises take root in Africa and integrate into local communities.
Focus on Industrialisation and Green Growth
Li urged businesses to align their growth with Africa’s industrialisation goals while tapping into emerging sectors such as:
- Digital economy
- Renewable energy
- Green development
Rainbow Rare Earths’ CEO and other Chinese business leaders echoed the need for sustainable, community‑focused investment models.
Launch of the China–Africa Entrepreneurs Partnership Alliance
The summit also unveiled the China–Africa Entrepreneurs Partnership Alliance, aimed at coordinating joint efforts and ensuring that summit commitments translate into concrete actions and measurable results. The AU Commission pledged to support the alliance and monitor progress.
Outlook
The summit signals a renewed push to elevate China–Africa economic cooperation from government‑driven projects to entrepreneur‑led partnerships, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity.