Hunan's imports and exports to Africa totaled 18.16 billion CNY in the first four months of this year, an increase of 8.8% compared to the same period last year, said the Changsha Customs Authority on May 18, 2026. Among them, imports increased 29.4% to 10.42 billion CNY.

South Africa remains Hunan's largest trading partner in Africa. During the January-April period, Hunan's trade with South Africa grew 53.7% to 5.59 billion CNY, accounting for about 30% of Hunan's total imports and exports to Africa during the same period. During the same period, Hunan's imports and exports to Guinea, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Algeria rose 156.9%, 327%, 141.9%, and 50.5% respectively.

Exports are dominated by mechanical and electrical products, with automobiles and the "new three" products—electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products showing impressive growth. In the first four months, Hunan exported 5.56 billion CNY of mechanical and electrical products to Africa, up 20.8%. Among them, exports of automobiles (including chassis), flat-panel display modules, and solar cells rocketed 141.7%, 36.8%, and 445.6% respectively. During the same period, exports of the "new three" products surged 102.1% to 540 million CNY.

According to the Changsha Customs Authority, the structure of Hunan's exports to Africa has undergone profound adjustments, with a clear divergence between traditional advantageous categories and new growth drivers. In the first four months, mechanical and electrical products accounted for over 70% of the provincial exports to Africa, reflecting that Hunan's technology-intensive, higher value-added equipment manufacturing and new energy products are rapidly capturing a larger share.

During the January-April period, Hunan imported 5.31 billion CNY of metal ores and mineral sands from Africa, up 45.6% and accounting for 51% of the provincial total imports from Africa during the same period. Imports of natural and synthetic rubber (including latex) surged 86.7% to 620 million CNY. A spokesperson of the Changsha Customs Authority stated that starting May 1, China has fully implemented zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, reducing the import costs of African goods. It is expected that the province's import scale from Africa will further expand.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.  

Translator: Yu Jiangjiang

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn