The much awaited China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo is billed to attract over 100 Chinese companies as the organisers announced that the event is scheduled to hold from November 28 to November 30, 2024 in Abuja.
A statement issued on Monday by Zhang Ji Secretary, China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria (CGCCN) said the trade expo will not only showcase a broad range of products but will also place significant emphasis on Chinese engineering technology.
Over 100 Chinese companies are expected to participate in the trade exhibition, the second of such in Africa after an earlier one held in Nairobi early this year.
The organising committee, which includes more than eight agencies affiliated with Hunan Province in China and the Nigerian Federal Trade Agency, confirmed that the expo will be held at the Abuja Trade & Convention Centre.
“The theme of this year’s expo is “China and Africa Joining Hands for a Better Future” and will feature a series of activities across multiple sectors, including investment and trade, infrastructure, healthcare, and engineering machinery.
The opening ceremony and the China-Africa Infrastructure Cooperation Forum (Nigeria) will commence at 10:00 AM. This forum will address the opportunities and challenges in China-Africa infrastructure cooperation, facilitating in-depth discussions on critical topics such as infrastructure connectivity, innovative investment and financing models, green and sustainable development, and business transformation. The forum aims to bring together stakeholders for meaningful exchanges and cooperation, promoting the signing and implementation of key projects.”
Following this, the China-Africa Business & Healthcare Matchmaking Conference will take place from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
“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,” the statement added.
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.
