Ethiopian Airlines is intensifying its focus on China-Africa trade by expanding its cargo operations and strengthening partnerships with Chinese airports, aiming to capitalize on growing commercial ties and increased bilateral trade. Company officials stated the move is driven by rising cross-border e-commerce, expanded zero-tariff policies benefiting African exports, and broader economic cooperation between China and Africa.

China, Africa’s largest trading partner, now represents Ethiopian Airlines’ most significant strategic cargo market worldwide, accounting for over 40 percent of the international transit cargo passing through its hub in Addis Ababa, according to Dereje Derero, managing director of cargo and logistics services at the airline. Derero emphasized that the Chinese market will maintain the highest strategic priority for the airline's global cargo business over the coming three to five years.

The airline’s expansion coincides with Beijing’s recent policy, implemented on May 1, extending zero-tariff treatment to imports from all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China. This broadens the previous scope, which focused mainly on the continent’s least-developed nations. China’s Ministry of Commerce has indicated that the policy aims to bolster African exports, encourage investment, and foster a more balanced and sustainable trade relationship. Bilateral trade between China and Africa reached a record $348 billion in 2025, according to China’s General Administration of Customs.

Derero highlighted that the zero-tariff initiative could help rebalance cargo flows, which have traditionally tilted heavily toward Chinese exports to Africa. The policy is expected to increase return shipments from Africa to China, improving aircraft utilization and boosting demand for temperature-controlled transport of goods such as Ethiopian coffee, flowers, and fresh produce.

Cross-border e-commerce, a rapidly growing segment, is contributing significantly to cargo volumes, with shipments increasing more than 20 percent year-on-year. New energy products and infrastructure equipment exports from China to Africa are also driving demand. Chinese e-commerce platforms including Temu and SHEIN have expanded extensively across the continent, supporting sustained freight traffic through Ethiopian Airlines’ cargo gateways in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.

The airline’s cargo fleet currently includes 20 freighter aircraft, comprising Boeing 777, 767, and 737 models, servicing 11 cargo destinations in China with frequent weekly flights. To increase capacity, Ethiopian Airlines has leased two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters, expected for delivery in 2028.

Despite freight rates returning to pre-pandemic levels, Derero noted ongoing challenges such as limited global freighter capacity due to Middle East airspace disruptions and elevated fuel costs. Specialized cargo such as e-commerce items, cold-chain shipments, and time-sensitive goods continue to command premium rates.

During the recent Transport Logistic Shanghai exhibition, Ethiopian Airlines signed agreements with airport operators in Guangzhou, Ezhou, and Zhengzhou and held talks with officials in Chengdu to explore further China-Africa cargo connections. Girum Abebe, the airline’s China country director, indicated plans to potentially launch a direct freighter route linking Southwest China with Africa, further deepening cooperation with Chinese airports and local governments.