Under Donald Trump’s trade policy, Washington has slapped new tariffs on imports, including those from more than 30 African countries that previously received special treatment under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The upshot has been a continuous reduction in US orders, allowing China to consolidate its position on the continent.
Based on current trends, trade flows are expected to exceed $200 billion for the first time, confirming China’s position as Africa’s largest trading partner for the 15th consecutive year.
This expansion has been driven by Africa’s increasing demand for manufactured products, notably in the infrastructural and consumer sectors.
Construction machinery was one of China’s fastest-growing export categories in the first seven months of 2025, increasing by 63% year on year.
For African countries, the transition brings both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, access to low-cost Chinese items promotes industrialization, infrastructural development, and consumer demand.
On the other hand, China’s trade balance remains unbalanced, with significantly more exports to Africa than imports.
Nonetheless, African markets are becoming increasingly important to China, especially as US tariffs and protectionism reshape global trade patterns.
Within the continent, a few nations stand out as China’s top buyers in the period under review. Below are the top 5 of these countries, as seen on Bloomberg.
Top 5 African countries that are China’s biggest customers
| Rank | Country | % of Chinese exports recieved |
|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Nigeria |
11% |
|
2. |
South Africa |
10% |
|
3. |
Egypt |
9% |
|
4. |
Liberia |
8% |
|
5. |
Algeria |
6% |
