South Africa Leads as Hunan-Africa Trade Surges to over R20 Billion in 2025

Trade between Hunan Province in China and African countries is off to a strong start in 2025, with figures from the first two months revealing a total import and export value of 8.07 billion yuan (approximately R20.5 billion). This represents a notable 8.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024, underscoring the growing economic relationship between China’s inland powerhouse and the African continent.

At the forefront of this trade boom is South Africa, which has emerged once again as Hunan’s largest African trading partner. In just January and February 2025, bilateral trade between South Africa and Hunan reached 1.7 billion yuan (around R4.3 billion), accounting for 21.1% of Hunan’s total trade with Africa during this period.

“This continued growth is a positive sign for Gauteng and the rest of South Africa,” said an economic analyst at the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA). “It shows the strength of our export capacity and the growing demand for South African products in the Chinese market—especially in regions like Hunan, which have deepened ties with our province.”

The trade statistics further highlight that Hunan’s general trade—which typically involves direct import and export of goods—accounted for 6.8 billion yuan of the total figure. More impressively, bonded logistics trade surged to 680 million yuan, marking a staggering 498.2% year-on-year increase. Bonded logistics allow goods to be stored and transported with deferred customs duties, enabling more flexibility and cost-efficiency in cross-border trade.

This comes just weeks after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed in his 2025 State of the Province Address (SOPA) that the province is in the final stages of concluding a groundbreaking trade agreement with Hunan Province. The partnership is set to open up markets for Gauteng SMMEs to export products like Rooibos tea, honey, nuts, biltong, moringa, and even wine to a Chinese population of over 66 million people across 13 cities—with fewer barriers and simplified logistics.

“We are excited by the direction this relationship is heading,” said Premier Lesufi. “This is more than just trade; it’s an opportunity to empower our township entrepreneurs, grow our economy, and create sustainable jobs.”

The strong growth in trade is also expected to attract more Chinese investment into South Africa, especially in infrastructure, manufacturing, and green energy projects. A recent example includes a 100MW solar energy project in Soshanguve, funded by Hunan-based investors, and a new R2.5 billion steel plant underway in Sedibeng through a BRICS partnership.

As Hunan-Africa relations deepen, South Africa’s leading role in this dynamic exchange presents valuable opportunities for innovation, enterprise development, and regional economic integration.

With the Gauteng-Hunan partnership gaining momentum and trade figures on the rise, 2025 is shaping up to be a milestone year for China-Africa collaboration, with South Africa—especially Gauteng—right at the center.