HONG KONG, SAR, May 21, 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – May 21, 2026 – Ms. Loretta Lee, Deputy Managing Director in charge of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), today (May 18) concludes a highly successful mission to South Africa and Rwanda, further solidifying Hong Kong’s status as a strategic springboard for companies from Africa and the Global South seeking to expand their overseas operations, particularly in Mainland China and the Asia-Pacific region.
During her visit to Johannesburg (May 10-13, local time), Ms. Lee met with representatives from a wide range of leading companies and industry organizations. Discussions focused on how Hong Kong’s dynamic business environment can help African companies effectively manage and expand their growing operations in Asia.
Ms. Lee also met with local chambers of commerce and government investment promotion agencies to explore new avenues for collaboration. She emphasized that Africa is a key market for InvestHK, as many companies on the continent are now seeking to diversify their funding sources and streamline their cross-border transactions through Hong Kong’s mature financial markets and its unique links with mainland China.
Ms. Lee stated, “Africa has emerged as a vital engine of growth for developing countries. We are beginning our journey of thousands of kilometers to Africa with a crucial first step. For African businesses seeking a trusted strategic partner for their expansion in mainland China and the Asia-Pacific region, interest, relationships, and momentum are booming. Hong Kong has immense potential to play a unique role as a capital bridge between Africa and our region. InvestHK intends to remain a driving force in this interconnection by facilitating bilateral investments through strategic market knowledge, extensive global reach, targeted advocacy, and supportive measures.”
Ms. Liu Yu, Ministerial Counselor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, welcomed the fact that “the synergy between South Africa and Hong Kong in the economic and commercial fields is both complementary and of strategic importance.” Within the framework of the 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong’s status as a global offshore renminbi hub and international asset management center offers businesses a unique professional platform for international expansion. “We encourage South African and mainland Chinese companies operating in South Africa to leverage Hong Kong’s outstanding business advantages to optimize their supply chain organization and achieve high-quality development that benefits everyone.”
The President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), Mr. Mtho Xulu, stated: “We hope to see this relationship extend beyond our borders, supporting South African companies in Hong Kong as a springboard to larger markets. In terms of innovation, manufacturing, and industrialization, we want to explore avenues for deeper collaboration and closer ties between our two regions. This ecosystem perfectly aligns with what our members need to seize high-value opportunities in mainland China and across Asia.”
The trip culminated in a visit to Kigali, Rwanda, where Ms. Lee represented InvestHK at the Africa CEO Forum, taking part in high-level discussions with leaders of major multinationals from across the continent on May 14 and 15 (Kigali time).
As part of a dynamic of bilateral economic relations, InvestHK is organizing a reception on May 26 in Hong Kong to mark Africa Day, bringing together local African business communities to explore new avenues for cross-border collaboration.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) for InvestHK
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