economy
February 8, 2026
China opens market to South African exports
China and South Africa have signed the China–Africa Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at boosting bilateral trade
TL;DR
- South Africa and China signed the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA).
- CAEPA will grant South African exports duty-free access to the Chinese market.
- The agreement aims to expand investment flows between the two countries.
- It covers cooperation in trade, investment, new energy, and multilateral engagement.
- South Africa will gain duty-free access for products through a future Early Harvest Agreement by March 2026.
- Both countries commit to promoting South African agricultural products and high-value manufactured goods exports to China.
- China will send an inward buying mission to South Africa and South Africa will participate in the China International Import Expo.
- South Africa is a major destination for Chinese investment on the continent.
- Safeguards will be included to protect South Africa's industrial capacity.
- South Africa is China's largest trading partner in Africa, and China is South Africa's largest trading partner globally.
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