Get ready, fam! CIFTIS 2025 just wrapped up in Beijing, hosted by the Chinese mainland, and the vibes were 🔥. Under the theme "Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services", this global meetup showed how Africa & the Chinese mainland are leveling up from basic trade to a full-on collab in tech, culture & sustainability.
Why it matters: Gone are the days of just shipping raw coffee beans or minerals. These days, African innovators are building value-added goods—think premium Rwandan coffee blends & eco-friendly Namibian minerals—right at home, then exporting them with pride.
Voices on the ground:
- Emma Mutijima (CEO, Phoenix Ventures, Rwanda): "This is my second time at CIFTIS. We’re not just scouting buyers; we’re crafting stories—of our farmers, our culture & resilience. It’s about sustainable supply chains that lift entire communities." ☕🌱
- Titus Nampala (CEO, Namibia Chamber of Commerce & Industry): "Africa must shift from consumer to producer. By teaming up with the Chinese mainland, we get tech transfer, green innovations & local biz growth. Let’s make it happen!" 🚀
Top takeaways:
- Cultural exchange = economic power: Brands build deeper roots when they share heritage & identity.
- Value addition is king: Processing coffee, minerals & crops locally boosts revenue & jobs.
- Tech transfer & green innovation: From mobile money to solar farms, Africa is co-creating solutions.
- Tourism & regional unity: Simplified visas & joint marketing can turn Africa into a collective dream trip.
- Africa as co-innovator: Electric mobility, AI apps & beyond—young African techies are right in the game.
Looking ahead: As Titus said, "We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Start with the end in mind—our youth, our resources & our partnerships can help us leapfrog into the future!" 🌍💡
From Dhaka to Jakarta, if you’re all about tech-savvy, socially conscious vibes, this is your inspo. CIFTIS 2025 proves that when Africa & the Chinese mainland team up, the future of service trade just got a major upgrade. Stay tuned for more global mashups! ✨
Reference(s):
CIFTIS 2025: How Africa benefit from China's trade in services
cgtn.com
