Industry news

China-Africa trade reaches CNY 1.14 trillion in the first five months of 2026, up 18.2%

Customs data: China-Africa trade hit CNY 1.14 trillion in January-May 2026, the first time above one trillion for the period, up 18.2% year on year; May imports from African partners reached CNY 95.13 billion, up 15% and rising for nine straight months.

Liberia hosts 2026 mining and energy conference, pledging to turn resources into development

A MOFCOM economic office report says the conference opened on 28 October with President Boakai pledging a better investment climate and local value addition.

Broker note puts mine solar-plus-storage LCOE at CNY 0.6-0.7, Africa near half of global market

A broker note estimates mine solar-plus-storage at CNY 0.6-0.7 per kWh, below diesel, with a global annual market of CNY 164.6-247 billion and Africa near half; figures are estimates.

South Africa pauses planned PVoC scheme for Chinese imports; NRCS rules and normal clearance unchanged

South Africa notified the WTO in May 2026 (G/TBT/N/ZAF/273) of pre-shipment verification for 25 categories of non-regulated Chinese imports, planned for 20 September 2026; the SABS paused the scheme in June 2026 with no restart date announced.

Farm machinery exports shift from selling machines to exporting systems, says industry map

At the 2026 China International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition, the sector released an export opportunity map, arguing overseas growth now depends on technology, brand, supply chain and service together.

Roller exports reach 11,949 units in January-September 2026, Nigeria and Ghana lead

China Construction Machinery Association data: 11,949 rollers were exported in January-September 2026, up 42.5% year on year and 71.8% of total sales; 18-tonne-plus vibratory rollers reached 366 units to Nigeria and 347 to Ghana, the top two markets.

Uganda launches import inspection portal with auto-issued clearance certificates

Since July 2025 the Uganda National Bureau of Standards runs an import inspection portal linked to customs, issuing the Import Clearance Certificate automatically once checks are done; the PVoC certificate remains mandatory.

Kenya requires pre-shipment ACD for container imports from August; reference code must appear on the bill of lading

Kenya's revenue authority requires an Advance Cargo Declaration before container loading; the reference must appear on the bill of lading, and shipments without it may be refused.

Mombasa port handles 45.45 million tonnes in 2025, transit cargo up 19.5%

Kenya Ports Authority data: Mombasa handled 45.45 million tonnes in 2025, up 10.9%; containers reached 2.11 million TEU, up 5.5%; transit cargo rose 19.5%, mainly for Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and DR Congo.

Uganda rolls out e-procurement to all entities from July 2026

Uganda's PPDA says the e-government procurement system (E-GP) will cover all procuring entities from 1 July 2026, moving notices, bid submission and contract management online.

Customs data: Africa leads growth in Chinese construction equipment exports

Per customs statistics, China's construction equipment exports grew more than 30 percent year on year in the first two months of 2026, with Africa up about 77 percent and excavator exports to the continent rising in step.

West Africa used excavator prices ease in October

Transactions at the Lagos and Lomé yards show 20-tonne used excavator prices down about 3 percent month on month, with age and hours driving negotiation.

Nigeria folds SONCAP into the single window, moving certification and clearance checks online

From March 2026, Form M, certification applications and clearance checks are handled through the single window, and the import supervision fee becomes a baseline charge on FOB value.

DR Congo: storage and transport upgrades around coastal Lower Congo blocks, and where tank, vessel and metering purchases focus

Tank farms, loading bays and metering facilities around Muanda are being modified or built; prefabrication share, inspection documents and site work allocation set the commissioning pace.

Tanzania: as equipment fleets grow around southern gas blocks, three checks on spares and field service

As rigs and processing units multiply around southern gas blocks, spare-parts stock and service radius in Mtwara become supplier criteria; interface dimensions and certificates are the two gates for alternatives.

Freight and steel costs shift loader quotes

Freight changes on West and East African routes plus higher steel costs have pushed landed quotes for 5-tonne and 3-tonne loaders up, with longer lead times.

Eswatini import taxes and fees: four items to confirm before quoting

Duty, VAT and local charges on imports into Eswatini should be checked line by line against the HS code; a verifiable tax basis in the offer beats renegotiating later.

Egypt: storage and transport upgrades around Western Desert and Gulf of Suez blocks, and where tank, vessel and metering purchases focus

Tank farms, loading bays and metering facilities around Alexandria are being modified or built; prefabrication share, inspection documents and site work allocation set the commissioning pace.

Ghana: as equipment fleets grow around Jubilee and Tano fields, three checks on spares and field service

As rigs and processing units multiply around Jubilee and Tano fields, spare-parts stock and service radius in Takoradi become supplier criteria; interface dimensions and certificates are the two gates for alternatives.

Some TBMs and walking excavators fall under export control; confirm licences early

A 2026 joint announcement by the Ministry of Commerce and Customs places full-face tunnel boring machines and certain walking excavators under export control, requiring licences before shipment.

Algeria after-sales: response time, parts lead time and billing

After-sales in Algeria comes down to response time, parts lead time and out-of-warranty billing; with coastal rain concentrates in winter while the interior stays dry, downtime cost grows with every day of waiting.

Mauritius after-sales: response time, parts lead time and billing

After-sales in Mauritius comes down to response time, parts lead time and out-of-warranty billing; with the rainy season runs from November to April, downtime cost grows with every day of waiting.

Nigeria: as equipment fleets grow around onshore Niger Delta blocks, three checks on spares and field service

As rigs and processing units multiply around onshore Niger Delta blocks, spare-parts stock and service radius in Port Harcourt become supplier criteria; interface dimensions and certificates are the two gates for alternatives.

Nigeria unveils 2027 road and bridge plan, earthmoving demand rises

The federal government has made a new round of arrangements for road rehabilitation and river bridges, with roller, loader and tipper demand expected to peak in the first half of next year.