Hunan Province is rewriting the playbook for China-Africa cooperation as it prepares to host the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha this week. Once overlooked as a landlocked region, Hunan is now pioneering sustainable partnerships that go beyond traditional trade—think tech transfers, industrial zones, and long-term investments. 🚀
🌐 "We're building companies that stay in Africa," says Khalifa Sy Diop of the Mali (Hunan-Changsha) Business Center. Unlike coastal hubs focused on goods exchange, Hunan is creating industrial ecosystems, like the China-Africa Innovation Demonstration Park, to foster mutual growth.
🚂 Logistics magic? Hunan’s rail-river networks now link Changsha to 11 global seaports, slashing trade barriers. Trade with Africa has grown at 14.3% annually since 2021—outpacing China’s national average by 5.3 points. Plus, its new technical trade barrier review base is smoothing the path for African agri-products to enter China. 🌾
🌱 As the birthplace of hybrid rice, Hunan is sharing farming tech with Africa, aiming to train 5,000 agricultural technicians by 2027. Meanwhile, its universities are bridging cultures, with graduates boosting healthcare, infrastructure, and diplomacy across the continent. 📚
From trade to talent, Hunan’s strategy proves that inland regions can lead global partnerships—no coastline required. 💡
