The Annual Retreat of the Group of African Ambassadors in China (GAAC), held in Beijing from 23 to 24 April 2026 on leveraging China’s 100% tariff-free offer to African countries, concluded on a strong and forward-looking note. GAAC Member States and participants underscored the importance of coordinated African approaches, supported by harmonised continental strategies and policies, as a foundation for deeper integration. They reaffirmed their collective commitment to take ownership of advancing sustainable development across the continent through strengthened trade, industrialisation, and infrastructure partnerships with China. Championed by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, and organised by the AU Permanent Mission to China under the leadership of H.E. Ambassador Dr. Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, the Retreat emphasised the need to foster win-win partnerships with China that go beyond market access and prioritise value addition, standardisation, and the development of competitive intra-African production systems capable of serving both regional and global markets.
