Trade Expo: 100+ industry leaders gather in Abuja on China-Africa infrastructure cooperation challenges

Organisers of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo have disclosed plans to assemble over 100 trade giants in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to address the opportunities and challenges in China-Africa infrastructure cooperation.

According to the organisers, the gathering will also facilitate in-depth discussions on critical topics such as infrastructure connectivity, innovative investment and financing models, green and sustainable development, and business transformation.

The expo, themed “China and Africa Joining Hands for a Better Future,” the organisers noted, has been scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 28 to November 30, 2024, and will feature a series of activities across multiple sectors, including investment and trade, infrastructure, healthcare, and engineering machinery.

Secretary of the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria (CGCCN), Zhang Ji, who disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, said the trade expo will not only showcase a broad range of products but will also place significant emphasis on Chinese engineering technology.

According to Ji, the forum aims to bring together stakeholders for meaningful exchanges and cooperation, promoting the signing and implementation of key projects. He added that over 100 companies are expected to participate in the trade exhibition, the second such in Africa after an earlier one held in Nairobi earlier this year.

“This event will introduce leading enterprises from Hunan and present the investment and trade environment in various African countries through representatives from African chambers of commerce, investment promotion agencies, and businesses.

“Key focus areas will include healthcare, new energy, manufacturing, construction materials, textiles, fisheries, and infrastructure development, facilitating ‘one-on-one’ discussions between Hunan enterprises and African business associations.

“On the first day of the expo, there will also be an exhibition showcasing engineering technology from Nigeria and China, which will continue until the final day.

“The exhibition will feature nine distinct areas, highlighting products in New energy, Architecture (building hardware), Machinery (construction machinery & agricultural equipment), Power Transmission and Transformation, Home Appliances & Furniture, Manufacturing, Pan-infrastructure, Circular Economy, and Comprehensive Area.

“With robust support and collaboration from various stakeholders in both China and Africa, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo has successfully hosted three sessions, establishing a new platform for local economic and trade cooperation.

“The third session of CAETE, held in Changsha, Hunan, in June 2023, covered 100,000 square meters and resulted in 120 signed projects valued at $10.3 billion. Over 1,700 exhibitors from Chinese and African enterprises, business associations, and financial institutions participated.

“In May 2024, the inaugural China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Africa took place in Nairobi, resulting in 43 signed projects worth $1.402 billion,” he noted.