“Made in China” products are popular in Africa
2024-08-22
한어Русский языкEnglishFrançaisIndonesianSanskrit日本語DeutschPortuguêsΕλληνικάespañolItalianoSuomalainenLatina
Source: Xinhua News Agency
On August 5, in Yiwu, Zhejiang, Senegalese businessman Surahat showed off the Chinese new energy vehicle he ordered. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Kong Linghang
Xinhua News Agency, Hangzhou, August 21(Xinhua News Agency reporters Xu Shunda, Zhu Han, Kong Linghang) "Look, these are the 100 Chinese new energy vehicles I ordered, which are very popular in Dakar!" In Yiwu, China, Senegalese businessman Surahat showed reporters a video on his mobile phone. In the video, white Wuling Bingo cars were neatly lined up in a parking lot in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.
"I set up a new energy online car-hailing company in Dakar and plan to learn from China's 'Didi model' to operate it." Surahat said that for Senegal, the introduction of new energy vehicles has many benefits. It can not only provide jobs and reduce taxi operating costs, but also be more environmentally friendly.
"Seeing new energy vehicles running all over the streets of China, I also look forward to seeing similar scenes in Senegal in the future," said Surahat.
This is just one of Surat's many "business inspirations". In Yiwu, known as the "World Supermarket", Surat has witnessed the increasingly frequent economic and trade exchanges between China and Africa.
In 2003, Surahat first came to Yiwu to purchase hardware products. The high-quality and low-priced products were snapped up as soon as they arrived in Senegal. Today, relying on the Yiwu China Commodity City, which brings together 2.1 million kinds of Chinese-made goods, as well as smooth logistics and efficient and convenient international trade services, Surahat's business is growing bigger and bigger.
Walking into the exhibition hall of the Africa Trade Company established by Sura in Yiwu, a row of new energy samples such as solar photovoltaic panels and solar street lights are prominently displayed, as well as hundreds of commodities such as hardware, daily necessities, electronic instruments, and household appliances. African merchants come and go in an endless stream in the exhibition hall.
"At the beginning, I could send 20 to 30 containers of goods to Africa a year. Last year, I sent more than 4,000 containers and more than 1,000 kinds of goods. This number is expected to continue to grow this year," said Sura.
Rich and diverse Chinese products are becoming increasingly popular in Africa. Data shows that China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. In 2023, China-Africa trade volume reached a historical peak of US$282.1 billion, and China's exports of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products to Africa increased significantly by 291%, 109%, and 57% year-on-year.
A Malian merchant (left) is shopping for photovoltaic accessories at a store in Yiwu China Commodity City (photo taken on March 19, 2024). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Weng Xinyang
In Yiwu China Commodity City, many merchants are confident about the development potential of the African market. "We are developing and promoting new products such as lithium-ion bicycles (e-bikes) for the African market, and we expect the sales share to grow rapidly in the next 10 years," said Yao Meisu, sales director of Yiwu Manuo Bicycle Co., Ltd. The company is positioned in the mid-to-high-end market and has created its own brand. Last year, more than 100,000 bicycles were sold to Africa.
Yiwu Huilian Hardware Company mainly sells interior decoration hardware accessories such as rails, hinges, and hinges to African countries. General Manager Shu Huixiao told reporters that in the past five years, the sales volume of hardware products in countries such as Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and South Africa has increased significantly.
"The cooperation with African customers is stable and friendly. With the economic development of African countries and the growth of engineering construction demand, the African market will grow faster." Shu Hui said with a smile.
As China-Africa cooperation deepens, many Chinese companies plan to further strengthen exchanges with Africa and provide the African market with better quality goods and more complete services.
"We plan to go to Africa to participate in the exhibition this year and visit dealers in person. We also provide local dealers with posters and brochures free of charge, hoping to help them sell their products," Shu Hui said with a smile.
In 2023, Yiwu Jieerke Electric Co., Ltd., located in the East New Energy Market of Yiwu China Commodity City District 2, sold nearly 100 million yuan of solar power generation equipment to Africa. Lin Jianxiong, the head of the company, said: "Africa is our most important market. Solar water pumps, backup power supplies, outdoor power supplies and other products are very popular. In the first half of this year, our sales to Africa increased by 20% to 30%."
"In the future, we plan to focus on upgrading our 'Chinese services' in Africa to further enhance our brand value. For example, we will provide customized complete solar product solutions for local customers and provide pre-sales and after-sales technical support," said Lin Jianxiong.
