NAIROBI, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The ninth edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), taking place in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10, offers a strategic platform to advance China-Africa business ties and unlock mutual economic benefits, according to a senior banking executive.
Richard Li, deputy CEO, head of Wealth and Retail Banking (China) and group head of Global Chinese at Standard Chartered Bank, emphasized the expo's potential to inject fresh vitality into two-way Sino-African trade and investment.
"The expo is an opportunity for Kenya and other African exporters to build buyer relationships, which provides a good foundation for trade outcomes," Li said during a recent interview with Xinhua in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
Li noted that a key measure of the expo's success will be turning signed agreements into delivered and repeat orders, adding that Standard Chartered Bank stands ready to facilitate transactions across both markets.
African nations, including Kenya, can leverage participation at the CIIE to showcase certified, high-value and traceable agricultural products to prospective Chinese buyers, Li said.
He urged African exporters to actively track leads, finalize workable payment and delivery frameworks, and scale up capacity to fulfill incoming orders.
"That is how an initial introduction can become a lasting relationship," said Li.
"Standard Chartered can help clients align their banking arrangements with those commitments, so the timing of production, shipment and payment is considered together," he added.
From Oct. 22 to 28 this year, the bank and its partners conducted a China roadshow aimed at positioning Kenya and the broader African continent as emerging trade and investment hubs.
The roadshow also aimed to help local African enterprises expand their presence in China, strengthen their production capacity and retain greater economic value, Li said.
The bank executive noted that companies in manufacturing, agro-processing and infrastructure are pivotal to penetrating the Chinese market, emphasizing their need for reliable partners and long-term growth financing.
Li highlighted the success of the China-Kenya Trade Corridor, launched by Standard Chartered Bank in April to help local startups expand globally through tailored financing, multi-currency banking and streamlined capital management.
"The progress since then is reflected in the relationships, referrals and opportunities developed through the Kenya Investment Authority mission. These are opportunities for follow-up, rather than evidence of completed commercial transactions," Li said.
Li emphasized that the bank has served as a "super-connector," fostering dialogue between Chinese and Kenyan businesses through market expertise, tailored banking support,and the conversion of trade referrals into executed deals.
African startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be central to the long-term sustainability of commercial ties with China, making it essential to boost export volumes and enhance local value addition, Li said.
He added that African SMEs must consistently meet Chinese quality and certification standards, secure dependable logistics, and maintain reliable production and shipping pipelines.
Li observed that reliable cold chains, stringent product certifications and dependable shipping routes will be vital to the success of African agricultural exporters targeting the Chinese market.
Over the long term, technology transfer, in-country processing and expanded local manufacturing will prove essential to enhancing their global competitiveness.
Despite ongoing geopolitical shifts, the future of Sino-African trade ties remains highly promising, Li noted, pointing to product diversification, localized value addition, resilient supply chains and proactive currency risk management as key drivers of optimism.
"The opportunity is for Africa to become a stronger engine of growth within this trading relationship, with SMEs expanding exports and building the productive capacity behind them," Li said. ■