The Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo will be held in Changsha, Hunan from June 12 to 15, 2025, under the theme "China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization". On the afternoon of March 18, the promotion conference for the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo was held in Beijing.

The Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo focuses on implementing the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Ten Partnership Actions for China-Africa modernization; emphasizing its economic and trade essence, innovation and practical result, the Expo aims to transform "exhibition traffic" into "trade growth", "short-term events" into "long-term mechanisms", "government-led initiatives" into "market-driven dynamics", and "regional platforms" into "global nodes", to continuously enhance the Expo's brand influence.

Shen Yumou, Secretary of the CPC Group and Director-General of Hunan Provincial Department of Commerce, introduced that this year's Expo features four main characteristics in its overall arrangement:

Organize more precise economic and trade activities. We will promote China-Africa industrial chain collaboration and trade vitality through multiple economic events focusing on infrastructure, agricultural cooperation, clean energy, textiles, digital economy and green minerals, as well as CEO Dialogue, Dialogue on Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and project matchmaking of the Pilot Zone for deeper economic ties. Intensify the development and solicitation of cooperation projects, enhance the effectiveness of matchmaking and negotiation between Chinese and African economic and trade entities, and collectively sign a batch of cooperation projects. Furthermore, in order to enhance the visibility of high-quality African agricultural produces and food in the Chinese market and build their brand recognition and influence in China, the "Quality African Products Online Shopping Festival" will be officially launched in late April; combining online and offline approaches, the Event will feature activities such as African product pop-up stores, supermarket promotions and live-streaming campaigns, aiming to familiarize and win over more Chinese consumers with African goods. Everyone is warmly welcomed to stay tuned.

Deliver more professional exhibition and show. The main exhibition hall covers an area of 100,000 square meters, with the proportion of professional exhibitions significantly increased, and hosts exhibitions showcasing the achievement made by China-Africa cooperation in industrialization and agricultural modernization. Thematic exhibition zones will be set up focusing on clean energy, energy conservation, environmental protection, traditional medicine, cross-border e-commerce, modern agricultural machinery, and engineering equipment. An innovative China-Africa Cooperation Brand Exhibition was established and influential Chinese enterprises and brands in Africa are sincerely invited for exhibition and enhancing their mutual recognition and influence. The China-Africa Fashion Industry Pavilion will intensively display fashion accessories, beauty and personal care products, electronics, sports facilities and equipment. The China-Africa Culture and Tourism Pavilion primarily showcases Africa's stunning natural landscapes and abundant tourism resources, promoting mutual learning and shared prosperity in culture and a win-win scenario in the tourism market between China and Africa. This Expo will feature two sub-venues, with the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park showcasing the premium branded products of each African country and hosting multiple supplier-buyer connections and negotiations. Xiangtan Central International Machinery Park will gather a wide range of high-quality and cost-effective used construction machinery and equipment, providing buyers with an efficient and convenient channel for equipment procurement.

Encourage more market players to actively participate. Increase efforts to invite Chinese and African enterprises, business associations, financial institutions, etc., to support market players in deeply participating in the Expo. From exhibition zone setup and event planning to project matching to targeted reception, greater emphasis will be placed on market demand. Actively invite international organizations such as UNIDO, the African Union, and the New Development Bank of BRICS, as well as third-party countries and regions, to participate in tripartite or multilateral cooperation with Africa. Actively invite market players to become the Expo partners to achieve a win-win scenario for corporate brand value and the Expo.

Provide more thoughtful service guarantees. Concerted efforts will be made to enhance the innovation, convenience and smart features of the Expo, setting an example in promoting international exhibitions and expanding China-Africa cooperation. Adhering to the philosophy of "treating all enterprises, whether private or state-owned, as local businesses upon arrival in Hunan; all merchants, whether Chinese or foreign, as local merchants upon arrival in Hunan", we will spare no effort in conference organization and reception service to ensure exhibitors and merchants arrive with enthusiasm and depart with full satisfaction. Furthermore, efforts will be intensified to promote and advertise the Expo, strengthen cooperation with renowned domestic and international media, leverage new media channels, and expand the global influence of the expo, making China-Africa cooperation stories a "highlight topic" in international discourse.

The China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, a major initiative for China-Africa cooperation personally approved by President Xi Jinping, has been successfully held for three sessions since 2019, with the full participation of 53 African countries and 31 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. The Expo has attracted nearly 40,000 participants, including over 4,600 Chinese and African enterprises Cumulatively, resulting in the signing of 336 cooperation project contracts or agreements worth $53.32 billion; and has become a globally renowned and vital platform for promoting China-Africa cooperation.