According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of China on July 14, 2026, the total value of China's foreign trade in goods in the first half of 2026 reached 25.47 trillion yuan, surpassing the 25 trillion yuan mark for the first time in history, with a year-on-year increase of 16.9%. Among this, exports to Africa grew by 19.6%, outpacing the overall foreign trade growth by nearly 3 percentage points. Textiles and apparel, as traditional advantageous categories in China-Africa trade, are entering a structural growth trajectory driven by new policy dividends and industrial upgrading.
Dual Benefits of the Zero-Tariff Policy
Since May 1, 2026, China has implemented a 100% tariff-free policy on all product categories from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. This policy has a dual effect: on the one hand, Chinese textile companies' import costs for raw materials such as cotton and flax from Africa have dropped significantly, helping to alleviate domestic raw material price volatility; on the other hand, the price competitiveness of Chinese exports—including garments, fabrics, and home textiles—in African end-markets has improved, boosting purchasing power among Africa's growing middle class. Industry data shows that China's textile and apparel exports to Africa increased by approximately 22% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, with apparel products seeing the most notable growth.
Exhibition Data Confirms Market Heat
The 8th China Textile & Apparel Exhibition (South Africa) opened on July 14 at the Cape Town International Convention Center for three days. The event brought together nearly 150 international textile and apparel supply chain companies from China, South Africa, Uzbekistan, Lesotho, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Madagascar, showcasing garments, fabrics, accessories, home textiles, footwear, manufacturing technology, and sustainable solutions. Pre-registered visitor numbers increased by 30% compared to the previous year, with active foot traffic throughout the venue. During the exhibition, 10 Chinese companies held fashion shows, while South Africa's Nedbank simultaneously organized a local designer show, adding a branding dimension to business collaborations.
From Trade to Full-Chain Collaboration
The exhibition also hosted forums and seminars on sustainability, industrial synergy, and digital transformation. This indicates that China-Africa textile cooperation is moving beyond a simple 'made in China, consumed in Africa' model toward full-chain integration. Chinese companies are not only exporting finished products but also establishing local fabric production bases, technical training programs, and supply chain management in Africa. Countries like Lesotho and Ethiopia, with zero-tariff advantages and relatively low labor costs, are attracting Chinese enterprises to set up processing facilities, with products re-exported to European and American markets. This 'Chinese technology + African manufacturing + global markets' triangular model is reshaping the global textile trade map.
A Decade of Platform Accumulation
Founded in 2016, the China Textile & Apparel Exhibition (South Africa) has become one of the most important professional international sourcing platforms in southern Africa after 10 years of development. The exhibition is jointly organized by the Textile Sub-Council of CCPIT, Lianyung International Exhibition Group, and Zhejiang Yuan Da International Exhibition Co., Ltd. The business matching program, through pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings, helps buyers and sellers establish efficient business connections. For Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises, such exhibition platforms lower the barrier to entering the African market, especially for factory-type exporters with production capacity but lacking overseas channels.