Ron Osman Omar, director for industry, minerals, entrepreneurship, and tourism at the African Union (AU) Commission, delivers a speech at a conference to promote the 140th Canton Fair at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 7, 2026. (Geng Xinning)

NNA News - Chinese and African Union (AU) officials have highlighted the China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as the Canton Fair, as an important platform for connecting African businesses with global buyers, investors, technology partners and international markets. The remarks were made during a conference held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa to promote the 140th Canton Fair, which is scheduled to take place from 23 to 27 October in Guangzhou, the capital of China's Guangdong Province.

Addressing delegates, Jiang Feng, head of the Chinese Mission to the African Union, said the Canton Fair has become an important platform for expanding economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa. "Through the Canton Fair and measures such as streamlining customs procedures and enhancing trade facilitation, China is helping high-quality African products enter the Chinese market, supporting Africa's industrialisation and advancing the implementation of the AU Agenda 2063," Jiang said.

He said the previous edition of the fair attracted more than 22,000 exhibitors and over 314,000 overseas buyers from 220 countries and regions, demonstrating its growing role as one of the world's largest international trade exhibitions. Jiang said this year's event is expected to provide additional opportunities for African businesses to showcase their products, establish new commercial partnerships and access global markets.

Ron Osman Omar, Director for Industry, Minerals, Entrepreneurship and Tourism at the AU Commission, said the fair offers African enterprises an opportunity to strengthen business relationships with Chinese and international companies while improving their competitiveness.

She noted that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises account for approximately 90% of businesses across Africa, making access to finance, technology and international markets essential for economic growth. "African enterprises require stronger connections, finance, technology, investment, skills, and international markets to grow and maximise their potential. Hence, platforms such as the Canton Fair are very crucial to help them connect to global buyers, investors and technology partners," Omar said. She said strengthening global market access for African businesses would contribute to industrial development and support the continent's broader economic integration agenda.

Guests learn about smart electronic devices after attending a conference to promote the 140th Canton Fair at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 7, 2026. (Geng Xinning)

Liu Xiaoguang, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said the Canton Fair extends beyond merchandise trade by providing opportunities for investment cooperation, local manufacturing partnerships and technical skills development. "The fair responds to Africa's development priorities and advances industrial connectivity with Africa by bringing together China's most competitive manufacturers and other professionals from over 200 countries," Liu said.

According to the organisers, the 140th Canton Fair will bring together manufacturers, exporters, buyers and investors from around the world across a wide range of industries, providing a platform for trade, investment and business cooperation. The event forms part of broader efforts by China and African partners to strengthen commercial ties, expand market access and support industrialisation across the continent through increased trade and investment.