A record 885.34 billion yuan in four months, 19.4 percent growth, duty-free access for 53 countries

Let’s try to understand this in a CCTV+ report.

China-Africa economic and trade cooperation is steadily expanding, with trade between the two sides reaching a record level from January to April this year.

According to data released on Saturday by the General Administration of Customs, China’s imports and exports with African countries in the first four months of 2026 totaled 885.34 billion yuan, an increase of 19.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Liu Daliang, Director of the Statistics and Analysis Department of the General Administration of Customs, said: “In the first four months of this year, China’s imports from Africa increased by 11.2 percent year on year, showing growth for eight consecutive months. Since May 1, China has introduced a duty-free regime for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. To date, seasonal agricultural products from Africa such as apples, oranges and avocados have been declared under the duty-free policy. Thanks to its super-large market, China is providing Africa with new development opportunities, bringing more benefits to both the Chinese people and the African people.”

China’s foreign trade in the first four months of 2026 grew by 14.9 percent year on year to reach 16.23 trillion yuan. The country’s exports increased by 11.3 percent year on year to 9.33 trillion yuan, while imports jumped by 20 percent year on year to 6.9 trillion yuan.

The answer to the question “why?” is not just in the numbers. It lies in the logic: China opens its giant market, Africa gains stable demand for its products. This is no longer just trade. This is a new model of cooperation where both sides win.