Changsha, Hunan Province — As the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo kicks off from June 12 to 15, Hunan is stepping into the spotlight as a driving force in China-Africa cooperation. Once considered a landlocked inland province, Hunan is now pioneering new models of sustainable and diversified engagement with African nations.
Innovating Beyond Trade
“Hunan is introducing a new model,” said Khalifa Sy Diop, a member of the Changsha People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Director of the Mali (Hunan-Changsha) Business Center. “We’re not just trading anymore. We’re transferring technology, transferring industries, and building companies that can stay in Africa long term.”
Unlike traditional hubs like Guangzhou or Yiwu that focus on goods trading, Hunan is promoting deep industrial cooperation and long-term investment. Initiatives such as the China-Africa Innovation Demonstration Park, industrial transfer zones, and its designation as a pioneering zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation reflect an integrated and policy-backed approach.
Connecting the Globe
Despite its inland location, Hunan has built a multimodal logistics network linking Changsha to 11 major seaports through combined rail and river transport. “River navigation, rail connections, and road networks allow seamless movement of goods from Changsha to Guangzhou and global seaports,” Diop explained.
This logistics strength is transforming Hunan into a platform for African traders and Chinese companies focused on Africa, streamlining operations and reducing costs.
Impressive Trade Growth
Zou Hongyan, Director of the Legal Center of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Research Society, highlighted that from 2021 to 2024, Hunan’s trade with Africa has grown at an impressive 14.3% average annual rate, outpacing the national average by 5.3 percentage points. Hunan is also home to China’s first technical trade barrier review base for Africa, aiding in harmonizing standards and smoothing the way for African products entering China, especially in agri-foods.
Advancing Agriculture and Food Security
Known as the birthplace of hybrid rice, Hunan is leveraging its agricultural expertise to support Africa’s food security. Hybrid rice technology, agricultural machinery, and training programs are now deployed in many African countries. From 2025 to 2027, Hunan plans to dispatch 50 agricultural experts to Africa, train 5,000 African agricultural technicians, promote mechanized farming, and support entire agricultural value chains from seed to distribution.
Building Bridges Through Education
Hunan’s universities play a vital role in fostering talent and cultural exchange. Many graduates are now contributing to agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, and diplomacy in their home countries. New partnerships between Hunan universities and African counterparts are deepening industry-academia ties and creating community-level connections.
As the Expo unfolds, Hunan’s evolving role signifies a significant shift in China-Africa relations, emphasizing sustainable development, mutual growth, and a shared future.
