Chinese private enterprises have seen remarkable growth in Africa, playing a pivotal role in shaping the continent's economic and social landscape. In this episode, we evaluate the growing presence of China's private business sector in Africa, exploring their impacts and contributions to Africa's development.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad and Nigeria from January 5 to 11, continuing a 35-year tradition that the Chinese foreign minister visits Africa on the first overseas trip of the year. The visit sees the beginning of the implementation the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan 2025-2027 and reinforces China-Africa ties, now elevated to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era. Three experts share more insights on the significance of Wang Yi's Africa tour.

As 2025 unfolds, it marks a pivotal year for the implementing the outcomes of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The year, China-Africa cooperation is set to reach new heights, driven by renewed momentum and shared goals. Three experts provide key insights into the future of this evolving partnership.

2024 will be remembered as a year of stability and remarkable progress in China-Africa relations, with ties between the two sides seen at its best in history. The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing made a milestone. In our annual year-in-review episode, three experts discuss key events and trends that shaped China Africa relations in 2024. They also share their personal gains and experiences owing to this growing partnership.

Agriculture is a key pillar of The Gambia's economy. However, its growth is constrained by challenges such as limited resources, low capacity, and the impacts of climate change. Lamin Fatty, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the University of The Gambia, discusses the current state of the sector and explores pathways to unlocking its full potential.

From December 7 to 10, the 4th China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue is held in Hubei Province under the theme "Partners Working Hand in Hand for Modernization." As a key step to implement the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Summit, youth representatives from 14 African countries visited Yichang and Wuhan, engaging in meaningful exchanges with their Chinese counterparts on modernization. Three young African delegates share their insights and takeaways on how these experiences could contribute to the development of their home countries.

China and Burundi share a strong and growing friendship, marked by booming cooperation in various sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure and energy. Burundian ambassador to China Telesphore Irambona discusses the current state and future potential of this partnership and calls for increased Chinese investment in the East African nation.

China has granted zero tariffs to Least Developed Countries with established diplomatic relations, including 33 African countries, effective from December 1, 2024. This move significantly lowers costs for African exports, boosts competitiveness, and strengthens economic ties between Africa and its largest trading partner, China. With nations like The Gambia benefiting, this policy opens new doors for trade and investment while promoting shared development. Find out more about how this game-changing policy impacts African economies with Lamin Dampha, the Permanent Secretary at The Gambia’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment and Chen Huiyi, Research and Coordination Analyst with Development Reimagined.

Xavier Owona, a Cameroonian fashion designer and founder of XaferWear, has spent nine years in China building a brand that seamlessly fuses African cultural elements with modern fashion. Based in Shanghai, Owona's journey highlights how young African entrepreneurs are thriving in China while promoting cross-cultural understanding.

For over three years, China Africa Talk has been bridging African and Chinese perspectives, offering fresh insights into an evolving partnership. Across Africa, journalists are reclaiming narratives, challenging Western portrayals, and collaborating with their Chinese counterparts to tell nuanced stories. Today, three African journalists in China join us to discuss how they're shaping the narrative of this dynamic relationship.