China eyes deeper East Africa trade ties

China is stepping up commercial engagement with East Africa as its companies look beyond traditional infrastructure projects to opportunities in trade, manufacturing, technology, energy, agriculture and finance.

The shift was evident in Somalia, where more than 30 Chinese companies and business leaders recently travelled to Mogadishu for a business forum with government officials and local enterprises.

The delegation also visited businesses including Hayat Market, giving Chinese investors a firsthand look at Somalia’s consumer market and commercial environment.

Somalia’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Hodan Osman Abdi, said such engagements were important in turning diplomatic relations into practical business partnerships.

“The best way to change perceptions is through experience, and the best way to build confidence is through real partnerships,” said Dr. Osman

Discussions during the Mogadishu engagement covered investment opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, energy and communications, among other sectors.

The growing Chinese interest comes as companies seek new markets for manufactured goods while African economies look for investment, technology and opportunities to expand domestic production.

Kenya remains a major commercial partner for China in the region. Kenya imported goods worth $4.31 billion from China in 2024, up from $3.28 billion in 2023, while Kenyan exports to China stood at $196.56 million.

The trade imbalance highlights the opportunity for Kenya and other East African economies to attract Chinese investment into manufacturing, assembly and value addition rather than relying mainly on imports.

The emerging electric mobility sector illustrates the potential. African imports of electric motorcycles and three-wheelers from China rose 60 per cent to $114.6 million in the first half of 2026, pointing to growing demand for Chinese technology and products.

The expanding engagement comes amid growing competition among China, the United States, Europe, India and Gulf economies for investment and commercial influence in East Africa.

The Mogadishu business forum and market visit signal a broader Chinese strategy in East Africa—one increasingly focused not only on infrastructure, but also on accessing consumers, building commercial partnerships and developing new markets.