The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) recorded $16.8 billion in trade with China during the first seven months of 2026, putting the eight-country bloc ahead of Central Africa’s CEMAC, which recorded about $11.84 billion over the same period.

The figures, based on country-by-country Chinese customs data, show a gap of nearly $5 billion between the two regional blocs. UEMOA accounted for about 58.7% of the combined $28.64 billion in trade between China and the two unions from January through July.

The lead was largely driven by Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo. Côte d’Ivoire recorded $5.62 billion in trade with China, followed by Senegal with $3.78 billion and Togo with $3.03 billion.

Together, the three West African economies generated about $12.44 billion in trade with China more than the entire CEMAC bloc combined.

But the figures also reveal an important imbalance in the relationship.

UEMOA’s higher trade volume does not mean that the region exports more to China. Chinese exports to UEMOA reached about $14.48 billion during the period, while Chinese imports from the eight West African countries stood at only $2.32 billion.

CEMAC showed the opposite pattern. China imported about $6.97 billion worth of goods from the six Central African countries, compared with approximately $4.87 billion in Chinese exports to the region.

The contrast highlights two different roles in China’s African trade. UEMOA is increasingly an important market for Chinese goods, while CEMAC remains a stronger supplier of commodities and other products to the Chinese market.

Within CEMAC, the Republic of Congo was the largest individual trading partner among the two blocs, with about $4.2 billion in trade with China, followed by Cameroon at $3.01 billion and Gabon at $2.29 billion.

For West Africa, the growing trade figures underline the rising importance of China as both a supplier and commercial partner. Côte d’Ivoire’s position is particularly notable as the country continues to deepen economic ties with Beijing and expand its role in regional trade.

The numbers also come as China seeks to increase access to its market for African products, including through preferential tariff measures aimed at boosting African exports.

The latest figures suggest that China’s economic footprint is deepening across both West and Central Africa but with markedly different trade structures. UEMOA is emerging as a larger market for Chinese products, while CEMAC continues to play a greater role as a source of goods flowing into China.