In July 2026, the 8th China Textile & Apparel Exhibition (South Africa) was held in Cape Town, attracting nearly 150 exhibitors, half of which were Chinese. The event signals a structural shift in China-Africa textile trade: bilateral trade reached $53.58 billion in 2025, and South African cotton and textile raw materials have been included in China's zero-tariff scheme. This policy change directly lowers the import cost for Chinese mills and opens a two-way trade channel.
Chinese exhibitors are moving beyond export. Hangzhou Beijin Import & Export, with over a decade in South Africa, has incorporated in Cape Town and is scouting factory locations in Durban. Their goal is to use South Africa as a base to serve the broader African market. Zhejiang Huida Textile, a first-time exhibitor, secured three cooperation intentions at the fair. The common thread is that Chinese firms bring technology, fast fashion capabilities, and supply chain depth that South Africa's textile industry lacks.
The zero-tariff policy covers 53 African nations, and its impact is spreading from raw materials to finished goods. Nerisha Jairaj, executive director of the South African Footwear and Leather Export Council, noted that South African shoe factories already heavily source Chinese accessories. She plans to attend the China International Import Expo in November, aiming to export African-style footwear to China.
For buyers, this means two things: first, South African cotton and linen can now be more cost-competitive; second, finished garments and footwear from South Africa enter China duty-free, creating opportunities for differentiated products.