The China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) is emerging as an important platform for businesses and economies to explore new opportunities in services, technology, investment and international partnerships, according to South African economist Simphiwe Madikizela.
The 2026 edition of CIFTIS is scheduled to take place in Beijing from September 9 to 13, bringing together exhibitors from more than 90 countries and international organisations, alongside over 1,800 companies.
Madikizela, a professor of economics at the University of South Africa, said the fair is evolving beyond a traditional trade exhibition into what he described as a “marketplace of ideas” where businesses and countries can exchange technology, knowledge and investment opportunities.
He said the event is particularly significant as the global economy increasingly shifts from manufacturing-led trade towards services, technology and intellectual property.
China’s services trade has continued to expand, rising 8.3 percent year-on-year to nearly 3.78 trillion yuan (about $556.56 billion) in the first half of 2026.
Knowledge-intensive services accounted for 1.66 trillion yuan, or 44 percent of China’s total services trade during the period. The sector grew 6.7 percent year-on-year, while exports of knowledge-intensive services increased by 12.8 percent.
According to Madikizela, China’s expanding services economy demonstrates how the world’s second-largest economy is becoming not only a major producer of goods but also an increasingly important provider and consumer of services.
Opportunities for Africa
The economist highlighted CIFTIS as a potential gateway for African economies seeking deeper engagement with Chinese and international businesses.
He identified areas including digital trade, e-commerce, financial services, tourism, education, healthcare, logistics and professional services as sectors where African businesses could find opportunities for collaboration.
“An open Chinese economy can support global growth through trade, investment, tourism, digital services, professional services, technology and innovation,” Madikizela said.
He added that closer cooperation in services could also help maintain economic connections at a time when geopolitical tensions and protectionist measures are creating uncertainty in global trade.
Madikizela said the changing nature of globalisation means international economic cooperation is no longer centred solely on the movement of physical goods.
Instead, countries are increasingly exchanging knowledge, technology, skills, data and services, a trend he described as the growing “servicification of global trade.”
For Africa, this shift could create new avenues for economic engagement with China, particularly as African countries seek to expand digital economies, develop service industries and attract investment beyond traditional commodities.
“The future will not be defined only by how many containers cross international borders but by how effectively countries exchange services, technology, knowledge, data, skills and innovation,” Madikizela said.
He argued that initiatives such as CIFTIS could therefore play an increasingly important role in strengthening international services cooperation and creating new channels for Africa-China economic partnerships.
