Senior government officials and business leaders at the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit have urged stronger cooperation between both regions to drive shared economic progress.
The inaugural session was held on Tuesday at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa.
It was jointly convened by the Chinese Mission to the AU, the AU Commission, and the China Chamber of Commerce to Africa, alongside other partner organisations.
The meeting was held under the theme “Deepening Practical China-Africa Cooperation and Embarking on a New Journey for Development.”
Participants included AU leadership, senior officials from China and African countries, diplomats, and representatives from the private sector on both sides.
Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie told delegates that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area has transformed Africa into a current engine of business activity rather than a future prospect.
He emphasised that China-Africa relations, grounded in mutual respect and dignity, should evolve into a more diversified partnership where entrepreneurs, innovators, and private enterprises play a central role in driving development.
Delegates at the summit encouraged business leaders from both continents to strengthen engagement, fully leverage zero-tariff arrangements, investment facilitation frameworks, and existing trade dialogue platforms to unlock new opportunities.
Li Qingyong, president of the China Chamber of Commerce to Africa and CEO of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ethiopia, reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to supporting Chinese firms in Africa and fostering closer integration with local economies.
He called on businesses to align their expansion strategies with Africa’s industrialisation and modernisation agenda while exploring opportunities in digital innovation, renewable energy, and green development.
The summit also saw the official launch of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Partnership Alliance, with the AU Commission pledging to coordinate efforts to ensure that agreements reached translate into practical outcomes and measurable impact.