The Uganda Representative Office of the China-Africa Friendship and Economic Development Foundation was established by the foundation under the auspices of the China-Uganda Economic and Industrial Development Association. It is the sole authorized unit in Uganda, and Zheng Boyuan, President of the China-Uganda Economic and Industrial Development Association, concurrently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Uganda Representative Office.

The China-Africa Friendship and Economic Development Foundation is China's first national-level non-public fundraising foundation focusing on China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Established on September 18, 2014, and headquartered in Beijing, it is affiliated with the China-Africa Friendship Leading Group of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Its mission is to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between Chinese and African enterprises through market-oriented operations, assist Chinese SMEs in "going global," and promote African industrialization and sustainable development. The following provides a detailed introduction to its core functions, business layout, organizational structure, and latest developments:

I. Background and Core Positioning

The establishment of the foundation is an important measure to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. It aims to fill the gap between traditional aid and commercial loans, guiding Chinese enterprises to participate in African economic development through market-oriented means such as fund investment and consulting services. As a bridge connecting government, businesses, and society, the foundation focuses on serving technology-based SMEs, providing financial support, project matching, and policy consultation to help them cope with the risks and challenges of investing in Africa.

II. Scope of Business and Core Functions

1. Policy Support and Resource Integration

The foundation undertakes tasks entrusted by the government, maintains close cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other departments, and has established regular liaison mechanisms with the embassies of 53 African countries and more than 60 countries along the Belt and Road Initiative in China. For example, in 2025, it signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Ruina New International Consulting to jointly promote high-value-added investments between China and Africa in agriculture, new energy, and other fields.

2. Empowering SMEs

To address the financing difficulties faced by SMEs, the foundation has established a special fund to support technology projects that have obtained national patents and are applicable to the African market, as well as export-oriented projects. For example, it has established an office in Shapingba District, Chongqing, and published a "Supply and Demand List for African Import and Export Trade" to help local enterprises connect with African resources.

3. Industry Matching and Project Implementation

Through investment negotiation meetings, trade fairs, and other activities, the foundation builds a platform for direct dialogue between Chinese and African enterprises. In October 2025, the "China-Africa Economic and Trade Greater Bay Area International Business Center," a collaborative project with the Nansha District Government, was officially launched. Integrating a full range of services including policy consultation, legal support, and supply chain connections, it became the first physical hub for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation in the Greater Bay Area.

4. Infrastructure and Livelihood Projects

The foundation participates in promoting infrastructure construction and improving people's livelihoods in Africa, such as the Ougadogu Greenbelt Irrigation Project in Burkina Faso. This project improves the local ecological environment, creates jobs, and promotes sustainable agricultural development by introducing Chinese technology. In addition, its support for the second phase of the Zimbabwe High-Performance Supercomputing Center project contributes to the country's digital transformation.

5. Capacity Building and Talent Development

The foundation funds China-Africa science and technology economic and trade talent exchanges, and conducts vocational training and technology transfer. For example, it co-hosted an engineering machinery cooperation and exchange activity with the Machinery Industry Branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, promoting the application of Chinese equipment manufacturing technology in Africa.

III. Funding Sources and Operating Model

As a non-public fundraising foundation, its income mainly includes government grants, corporate donations, investment returns, and funds from international cooperation projects. The foundation adopts an "investment + service" model, supporting enterprise projects through equity participation and loans, and achieving its own sustainable development through market-oriented operations. For example, in 2025, it partnered with the South African government to launch the "Trusted Employer Program," providing visa facilitation and lowering investment thresholds for eligible Chinese-funded enterprises.

IV. Organizational Structure and Governance System

The foundation has a Board of Directors as its highest decision-making body, composed of government officials, entrepreneurs, and experts, which holds four meetings annually to review major matters. The executive bodies include the Secretariat and several specialized committees, such as the Government Coordination Department and the Industry Cooperation Department. The current Chairman is Zhang Yi, the Executive Chairman is Huang Zhaojin, and the Executive Vice Chairman is Zhang Zongwu.

V. Latest Developments and Strategic Layout

1. Deepening Regional Cooperation

In addition to the Nansha Business Center, the foundation is promoting the establishment of overseas representative offices in countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia, building a service network covering Africa. In September 2025, Chairman Zhang Yi visited Guangzhou Nansha and proposed a synergistic development path of "port + industry + trade," planning to promote the first batch of business districts in African countries to be established within the year.

2. Expanding into Emerging Fields

In response to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation's "Digital Innovation Partnership Initiative," the Foundation focuses on supporting the construction of digital infrastructure in Africa. For example, it collaborates with the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Nigeria to promote the implementation of 5G network coverage and smart logistics projects.

3. Green and Sustainable Development

The Foundation actively participates in the development of renewable energy in Africa, such as investing in agricultural photovoltaic projects in Mozambique to achieve the eco-economic benefits of "power generation on the panels, planting underneath." Simultaneously, it helps African countries improve their environmental protection capabilities through technology transfer; for example, the green belt project in Burkina Faso uses water-saving irrigation technology to effectively alleviate local water shortages.

VI. Differences from Other China-Africa Cooperation Institutions

Unlike the China-Africa Development Fund (a sovereign wealth fund led by the China Development Bank), the China-Africa Friendship and Economic Development Foundation focuses more on mobilizing private capital and serving SMEs. Its business scope covers non-financial areas such as trade promotion, technology transfer, and capacity building. Its flexibility and market-oriented operating model give it a unique advantage in promoting local China-Africa cooperation and "small but beautiful" projects.

VII. Future Outlook

The Foundation plans to focus on the following initiatives during 2025-2027:

- Expanding investment in African science and technology, supporting livelihood projects such as artemisinin research and development and digital healthcare;

- Deepening cooperation with African regional economic communities (such as the African Union and East African Community), and participating in the construction of the African Continental Free Trade Area;

- Exploring the "fund + industrial park" model, establishing 5-8 China-Africa agricultural and mineral product processing bases in Africa.

Through these measures, the Foundation is committed to shifting China-Africa economic and trade cooperation from "blood transfusion" to "blood generation," contributing to the building of a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.