China Africa Talk

As China pushes forward with high-quality development and new productive forces, what does this mean for Africa's growth and cooperation with China? Charles Onunaiju and Liu Baocheng unpack the opportunities and implications.

China's Two Sessions, the annual meetings of the country's top legislature and top political advisory body, have been garnering global attention. Journalists from across the globe, including many from Africa, have gathered in Beijing to cover the event and examine the global implications of China's policy agenda. African journalists Fortune Abang and Satyen Bhuruth share their perspectives on the...

Starting May 1, 2026, China will eliminate tariffs on all imports from the 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, a move expected to accelerate industrialization and economic development across the continent. The policy comes as China enters its 15th Five-Year Plan cycle, a period set to emphasize high-quality growth, stronger domestic demand, and a deeper level of opening-up...

Happy Chinese New Year! The annual celebration of Chinese New Year has evolved into a powerful symbol of the deepening ties between China and Africa. As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we explore the symbolic meaning of the horse in both Chinese and African traditions and key themes and milestones lie ahead for China-Africa relations in the new year.

South Africa and China have signed a framework trade and investment deal aimed at expanding bilateral economic ties. The agreement is expected to grant more South African exports duty-free access to the Chinese market and facilitate increased Chinese investment. What does the signing of the deal signal about how China and South Africa are prioritizing the growth of trade and investment ties, espec...

Recently, Zimbabwean war veterans wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping to express their gratitude for China's support during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle. In his January 28 reply, President Xi commended the veterans for dedicating their youth to the cause of national liberation and for forging a profound friendship with the Chinese people along the way. How did China and Zimbabwe work together...

From drinking warm water and eating congee to wearing slippers indoors, social media users around the world are embracing everyday Chinese lifestyle habits as part of the viral "Becoming Chinese" trend. Seen through an African lens, what is driving the growing appeal of Chinese culture? And how can China and Africa work together to better promote mutual understanding through cultural exchange? Con...

In an exclusive interview with CGTN Radio, Douglas Mahiya, a Politburo Member and Secretary for War Veterans of Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU PF party, speaks highly of President Xi Jinping's reply to Zimbabwe's national liberation struggle veterans. Mahiya highlights how the letter reaffirms the enduring bond between China and Zimbabwe. He emphasizes that this legacy continues to inspire collaboration t...

As China and Africa enter the 2026 Year of People-to-People Exchanges, greater emphasis is being placed on cultural, educational, youth, and social engagement. With hundreds of activities planned, the move aims to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the social foundations of China-Africa relations. Erastus Mwencha, former Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, shares how these...

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has continued China's long-standing tradition of beginning the year with a visit to Africa, a practice now in its 36th year. Against a backdrop of growing global uncertainty, the tour highlights China's commitment to deepening strategic trust with African partners and upholding multilateralism. Mapaballo Mile, Lesotho's Ambassador to China and Wang Jinjie, Research...

Chinese has been formally included in Ghana's national school curriculum. The move comes amid expanding Ghana-China cooperation. As interest in Chinese language learning continues to rise across the continent, what is driving this trend, and what long-term opportunities could it unlock for African students and economies? We speak with Reginald Quartey, Acting Director for Curriculum at Ghana's Nat...

2026 marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, a milestone in strengthening mutual understanding between the two sides. The year also celebrates the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, highlighting decades of friendship and cooperation. Throughout 2026, a series of programs will showcase achievements, promote exchanges, and explore new opp...

As the 2025 draws to a close, which key moments and milestones have defined the China- Africa relations? Despite the challenges faced in various sectors, how have the relations evolved and what impact has this had? In this episode, Professors Liu Baocheng, Director of Center of International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics, and Charles Onunaiju, Director of the...

As we approach the end of 2025, it's a meaningful moment to pause and reflect on how the China-Africa partnership has evolved over the past year. In this special episode, three young and inspiring guests working on the frontline of China-Africa cooperation join us to share their personal experiences and stories, offering a clearer and more vivid picture of how this important partnership is growing...

Attending as guest of honor at the 11th Global Tourism Economy Forum held in Harbin, Zimbabwe draws insights from China's culture-driven tourism model. We speak with Stanley Banda, Zimbabwe's Tourism Attaché to China and ASEAN, on key takeaways from the forum and opportunities for deeper China-Africa tourism cooperation

As global environmental challenges intensify and geopolitical tensions strain international cooperation, the mandate of the United Nations Environment Assembly has never been more significant. Meeting from December 8 to 12 in Nairobi, UNEA-7 brings together delegates from around the world to advance sustainable solutions for a resilient planet. Ma Jun and Ali-Said Matano weigh in on why UNEA's rol...

China and Africa are working together to realize the right to development. Professor Liu Hongwu, Director of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, explains why development-centered human rights lie at the heart of China-Africa collaboration and how this approach aligns with Africa's own priorities.

Kenya is accelerating its infrastructure development with a major highway expansion, backed by Chinese expertise and financing. The key Mombasa-Nairobi corridor, a vital trade gateway to Uganda and other inland nations, is being transformed from a single-lane road into a modern four-to-six-lane highway. What does it signal about the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation?

The revitalization of the TAZARA railway, a landmark project of China-Africa friendship, has officially begun. Following a high-level groundbreaking ceremony, this modernized "Freedom Railway" is poised to enhance regional connectivity and inject new momentum into the economic development of Tanzania, Zambia, and the broader region.

For the first time in its history, the G20 Leaders' Summit is held on African soil, with South Africa wielding the rotating presidency. This landmark event has placed the continent in the spotlight, prompting a critical question: Is this a fleeting moment of prestige, or can it be leveraged into a genuine turning point for Africa's development?

Ethiopia and Kenya have become the first African countries to adopt yuan-based debt-swap arrangements, seeking to alleviate the burden of their dollar-denominated debts. This move reflects a growing demand for the Chinese yuan in Africa to avoid foreign exchange losses and transaction costs. We dissect this trend and its implications.

Rwanda has participated in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) since its inception in 2018, leveraging the platform to bring its exceptional coffee, chilies, and handicrafts into countless Chinese households. Rwandan Ambassador to China James Kimonyo shares how the East African nation is using the platform not only to expand exports, but also to attract Chinese investment, forging a partner...

The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) has set new records in both exhibition area and exhibitor numbers, attracting over 4,000 exhibitors from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations. With African participation growing significantly, including 17 countries in the Country Exhibition, how is the CIIE creating pathways for Africa's growth and innovation, and fostering a share...

At the recent CPC Central Committee plenum, China set the blueprint for its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), reinforcing a focus on high-quality development and technological advancement. We explore the implications for global partners, with a special look at what it means for Africa.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the world's largest international organization dedicated to peace, security, and cooperation. Since its founding in 1945, the UN has been a platform for dialogue among nations. In this episode, we reflect on eight decades of the UN's evolution and explore how it must adapt to remain relevant in a changing world.