Report: Tazeen Akhtar | Camera: Raja Ghulam Farid
A group of businessmen from Karachi supported by pharma industry mainly and patronized by former additional secretary of ministry of foreign affairs of Pakistan has launched Pakistan Africa Economic Council PAEC in Islamabad on 11 Sep 2026 aiming at enhancing trade level with Africa for which the group has set up its offices in Addis Ababa of Ethiopia to start the venture from East African countries. As mentioned by the organizers China and Turkiye will support PAEC in this endeavour.
The representative of Shenzhen Government Procurement Association (often led by figures such as President Feng Qiang) was also present in the launch. It is an industry and trade organization in Shenzhen, China, that facilitates economic collaboration, technological cooperation, and public-private partnerships in government procurement and cross-border industrial development.
China and Türkiye have expressed support for Pakistan’s private-sector initiative to increase trade with Africa.
This was stated by Hamid Asghar Khan from the stage while referring to the presence of Ambassador of Turkiye Dr Irfan Neziroglu and Head of Procurement Association of Shenzen , China Mr. Feng.
At the event, Mr. Feng from Shenzhen Association (center in the featured picture)came on stage and addressed the participants. He also signed an MoU. He assured support from his organization. Turkish ambassador did not say anything neither appeared on stage nor signed any MoU. Dean of African embassies in Islamabad, Ambassador Mohammad Karmoun was present in the signing of MoUs at the stage.
Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, former Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is the driving force behind the establishment of this platform and has provided a roadmap to achieve its targets.
Ambassador Hamid retired from service on September 11 at 5 PM. Just two hours later, he began a new journey as the Pioneer and Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan-Africa Economic Council by launching the Islamabad Conclave of PAEC. The Council is headquartered in Karachi.
Speaking at the event, he said: “Europe is closing its doors to Muslims. The West is forbidden for people from the East. Look at what is happening in Germany and France! They are chanting ‘Send them back! Send them back!’ — he did not mention the UK.
” We need to look to other regions like Africa. We need to move South-South. Both Pakistan and Africa have a youth bulge. We need safe avenues for jobs and business for our youth so that they do not drown in the sea trying to reach Europe, Hamid shared his vision of PAEC.
Hamid Asghar Khan observed that Africa offers vast investment potential for Pakistan in sectors including IT, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and education. He urged both the government and the private sector to focus on joint ventures. He said, Pakistan has great goodwill in Africa because Pakistan played central role in the independence of African countries. Pakistan’s exports in IT are $4.5 billion while pharma sector is exporting products of $600 million in the world.
His address led to the understanding that the PAEC is focusing on the sectors that are already growing and easy to handle to take the trade higher than the present level.
Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi was the chief guest of the launching event. He stated that Pakistan is late in Africa but Hamid’s speed will certainly tackle this delay. He is not retiring but starting new journey of national service.
He said Pakistan must strengthen trade and economic ties with African nations to fully capitalize on natural resources and emerging global markets. He offered opportunities of invetsment in KP with cheap electricity, large oil resources, natural gas production, water reserviors and minerals. He said any investment in KP will surely be successful.
State Minister Defense Production, Raza Hayat Hiraj remarked that Pakistan should expand economic linkages with Africa’s growing markets.
Here it is worth mentioning that African countries Sudan, Somalia, Eastern Libya expressed their interest in Pakistani jets and other weapons. Recently DR Congo’s military delegation visited in the same connection. Pakistan is moving forward towards maturing the deals of billions of dollars worth.
National Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan noted that strong trade relations with Africa would create new opportunities for exporters and investors. He said there is great potential in Africa for Pakistan and we have to penetrate into African markets.
Dr. Shahzad Malik, President of PAEC , stated that the council would serve as an effective bridge between the business communities of Pakistan and African countries. General Secretary of PAEC Sheikh Rashid Ali Aalam was also present at this occasion.
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Spokesperson to the President of Pakistan Murtaza Solangi and President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce Usman Shaukat literally used the word ” SHAMEFUL ” for the trade of Pakistan with Africa.
Murtaza Solangi expressed hope that Hamid will add couple of Zeros at the right side of the present $5 billion.
Usman Shaukat pointed out how many countries are in Africa and how many missions are working on both sides. 54 countries vs 10 to 15 missions on the sides. The ratio speaks the low place in the priorities. Usman has visited extensively in Africa. He suggested digital connectivity should be strengthened to encourage and enhance the trade.
Dean of Diplomatic Corp, Ambassador Turkmenistan, H.E Atadjan Movlamov appreciating the move said, Africa is a vast market while Pakistan is a growing economy with agricultural and industrial base. The trade, investments and B2B contacts will create important pillars for PAEC. The forum provides a plateform for business diplomacy and facilitates the diplomats. It will open new avenues for both sides.
Mr. Feng from Shenzhen said , China and Africa are parts of global south. China is the biggest partner of Africa in trade for last 15 years. He said , China beleives in common interests and bilateral respect. Our companies are going to the world with quality products and jobs creation.
Shenzhen is one of the most industrially developed regions of China situated adjacent to Hong Kong. The exports from this only region are $660 billion.
Mr. Zafar Bakhtawary of DWatson chemist stores welcomed the launch of PAEC and expressed trust that it will go a long way in promotion of trade with Africa. Commenting on the personality of Hamid, he spoke highly for Hamid’s socializing and welcoming nature for all.
Bakhtawary shared an Urdu saying on the rude attitudes of the bureaucrates in general and bureaucrates in foreign service as , ” EK KARELA DOSRA NEEM CHADHA “. He added that Himd is different than all the rest.
(Karela کَرِیلا is vegetable that is bitter/pungent in taste and the name is given to a person who is rude towards others. Neem نیم کا درخت is a tree whose leaves are intensely bitter/ pungent. In short , Bakhtawari meant ” Bureacrates are Bitter but the Bureacrates of Foreign Service are Double Bitter/ Pungent کڑوا – having one bad quality or flaw, and then adding another one on top of it )
Ms Kinsaa, a businessmen leader from Addis Ababa sent her video message for the launch of PAEC. She said , Pakistan has quality and experties but not known in Africa in that sense. Pakistan has manufacturing strength while Africa is big market. She raised the impression that both can complement each other. She mentioned Textile, Construction, IT, Agriculture as the promising sectors.
The PAEC signed MoUs with Chambers of Commerce of Pakistan with the Presidents on board , Atif Ikram Sheikh FPCCI, Usman Shaukat RCCI, Sardar Tahir Mehmood ICCI. An MoU was signed with Mirza Ekhtiar Baig MNA of Karachi.
From Africa, the Ambassadors of Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Sudan, Tunisia and Zimbabwe were present. Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, South Africa, Somalia were not seen at the event.
From other countries, Ambassadors of Vietnam, Syria, Sri Lanka were present.
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Let’s look at the comparison: Africa – China , Turkiye, india ……… Pakistan
Pakistan-Africa Trade: LESS THAN $5 Billion – Africa: A continent of 54 countries
Pakistan: Has 15 diplomatic missions in Africa – Africa: Has 10 diplomatic missions in Islamabad – Divide $5 billion by 25 and see where we stand — compared to where China, Türkiye, and India stand.
CHINA-AFRICA TRADE
China-Africa bilateral trade reached a historic high of $348 billion in 2025, making China Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In the first half of 2026, trade surged by 24% year-on-year to $203.5 billion. This growth is largely driven by China’s decision on May 1, 2026, to grant zero-tariff treatment to 53 African nations.
2025–2026 Breakdown: Africa’s Exports to China: $123 billion in 2025Driven by natural resources, crude oil, and critical minerals from countries like DRC, Angola, and South Africa. The zero-tariff policy also led to a 23.5% increase in agricultural exports such as Kenyan avocados, South African rooibos tea, coffee, and seafood.
China’s Exports to Africa: $225 billion in 2025Dominated by electronics, machinery, and vehicles. Roughly 75% consists of capital and intermediate goods used by African countries for manufacturing and modernization.
Trade Deficit: Africa’s deficit with China hit a record $102 billion in 2025, and widened by another $56.5 billion in the first half of 2026. Key Drivers :Zero-Tariff Policy: Eliminated duties of up to 30%, benefiting countries like Kenya and South Africa. Landlocked nations like Mali and Niger still face logistical challenges.
De-Dollarization: Banks like Standard Bank and Ecobank have integrated with China’s CIPS. Kenya converted infrastructure loans to Yuan, and Zambia now accepts Yuan for mining royalties. Geopolitics: While US-Africa trade totaled only $83.4 billion in 2025, China is positioning itself as the key supplier of Africa’s green tech and solar infrastructure.
TÜRKİYE-AFRICA TRADE
Türkiye-Africa trade has grown to approximately $40 billion, up from $5.4 billion in 2003. The intermediate target is $50 billion, with a long-term goal of $70–$75 billion. Key Metrics:Exports: Machinery, textiles, automotive components, and defense equipment. Imports : Oil, gold, copper, coffee, and tea. FTAs: With Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Mauritius. Economic cooperation agreements with over 50 African countries. Investments: Turkish firms have completed 2,000+ projects worth nearly $100 billion. Direct Turkish investment in Africa exceeds $10 billion.
Connectivity: Turkish Airlines operates flights to 60+ destinations in more than 40 African countries.
INDIA-AFRICA TRADE
India-Africa bilateral trade has surpassed $100 billion, with a joint target of $200 billion by 2030. Cumulative Indian investment in Africa exceeds $75 billion. Imports from Africa : 60% crude petroleum, gold, coal, and critical minerals. Top suppliers: Nigeria, South Africa, and Angola. Exports to Africa: Pharmaceuticals — supplying nearly 50% of Africa’s generic medicines — automobiles, refined petroleum, and machinery.
Recent Developments :SACU Trade Pact: India and the Southern African Customs Union signed terms of reference to negotiate a preferential trade agreement. Institutional Ties : The India-Africa Trade Council continues to expand trade desks and business roundtables to facilitate cross-border investment.
Finally, this is the competition for Pakistan, either government or any private business organization, has to work very hard, sincerely with dedication and taking along the real players of the market , not accommodating the favorits only.
Basic issue with Pakistan regarding Africa is the perception issue. Pakistanis have a very limited and small world. They see the world is Europe, America, Canada, Australia, Saudia, UAE and that is all. Pakistanis still think that Ethiopia is the country of 80s hit with famine and a picture is safe in their minds with a vulture ready to fete at a dying kid with hunger.
