HLB Global China Service Forum – Africa Strengthens Cross-border Investment Dialogue

As China–Africa trade and investment continue to expand, businesses require more than market opportunity—they need trusted advisors who understand the commercial, regulatory and operational realities of doing business across multiple jurisdictions.

To support this, HLB CBS Group South Africa hosted the 2026 HLB Global China Service Forum – Africa in Johannesburg, bringing together Chinese enterprises, African business leaders, financial institutions, HLB member firms and specialist advisors for a full day of discussion focused on structuring compliant expansion across African markets. The forum formed part of HLB's wider Global China Service initiative, which connects Chinese businesses with dedicated China Desks and Mandarin-speaking professionals across the international network.

Practical conversations for businesses expanding across Africa

The programme focused on the issues organisations face when establishing or expanding operations across the continent.

Sessions explored:

• China–Africa investment trends and economic outlook
• Cross-border investment structures
• Tax planning and exchange control considerations
• Regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions
• Managing African operations from a South African base
• Sustainability, workforce and governance considerations
• Practical experiences from HLB member firms supporting Chinese investment across Africa

Turning discussion into implementation

While investment opportunities across Africa continue to grow, successful expansion depends on careful planning and local execution.

Businesses must navigate varying regulatory environments, ownership structures, tax systems, exchange control requirements, governance expectations and commercial practices across different African jurisdictions. These practical considerations were central to the forum discussions and reflect the challenges many organisations face when expanding beyond their home markets.

Industry discussions also highlighted the continued momentum in China–Africa economic cooperation. Recent initiatives, including expanded market access and increasing investment across manufacturing, infrastructure and industrial development, are creating new opportunities for businesses seeking long-term growth across the continent.

How HLB CBS Group South Africa supports China–Africa business

The discussions at the 2026 HLB Global China Service Forum – Africa reflected the practical challenges organisations face when establishing, investing in and expanding between China and African markets. These challenges often extend beyond identifying an opportunity and may involve business structuring, regulatory approvals, local partnerships, tax considerations, exchange controls, supplier relationships and coordination across several jurisdictions.

Through our dedicated China & Africa Business Services, HLB CBS Group South Africa provides practical support across each stage of the market-entry and expansion process.

Based in Johannesburg, our team combines Mandarin-speaking professionals, on-the-ground African capability and access to HLB member firms and trusted specialists across relevant jurisdictions. This allows us to coordinate advice, responsibilities and implementation requirements across China and Africa through a single, connected service approach.

Our support includes:

• Market entry advisory
• Business structuring
• Local partner identification
• China–Africa business advisory
• Cross-border coordination
• Regulatory support
• Investment advisory support.
• Supplier sourcing
• Business delegations and China business visits
• Foreign exchange coordination

Our role is to help clients move from strategy to implementation. By coordinating local knowledge, specialist advice and cross-border relationships, we support organisations in making informed decisions, establishing appropriate structures and managing the practical requirements of operating across multiple markets.