Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is expanding its strategic engagement with the African continent, with Ms Loretta Lee undertaking an official visit to Johannesburg, South Africa. The visit is scheduled from May 10 to May 13. InvestHK's initiative aims to attract African enterprises to establish or expand their presence in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region. This broader engagement seeks to foster economic ties and facilitate investment opportunities between Africa and Asia. The announcement of this visit was published on May 11, 2026. This move shows InvestHK's commitment to deepening its relationships across the Global South and leveraging Hong Kong's position as a key gateway to Asian markets.
Hong Kong's Value Proposition
African enterprises establishing a presence in Hong Kong can benefit from a globally recognised common law system, according to Invest Hong Kong. The city also offers what InvestHK describes as Asia’s most competitive tax regime. This competitive tax environment is a significant draw for businesses looking to optimize their operational costs while maintaining access to a strong financial infrastructure. The predictability and fairness of the common law system further enhance Hong Kong's appeal, providing a secure and transparent regulatory framework for international businesses.
Further illustrating its tax environment, Hong Kong has announced a halve in the profits tax for qualifying physical commodity traders. This measure reduces the profits tax rate from the standard 16.5 per cent to 8.25 per cent for eligible entities. This lower tax rate is intended to attract businesses involved in commodity trading to establish operations in the city, enhancing its appeal as a regional trading hub. The reduction signifies Hong Kong's proactive approach to maintaining its competitive edge and diversifying its economic base. The combination of a stable legal framework and competitive taxation forms a core part of Hong Kong's proposition to companies seeking to expand into the Asian market, offering both operational efficiency and financial advantages.
Strategic Role and National Vision
Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to accelerate two-way capital flows across finance, shipping, and innovation and technology, according to Invest Hong Kong. The organization states that Hong Kong is leveraging its status as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to support national development. This strategic role aligns with the objectives outlined in the National 15th Five-Year Plan. This framework guides the Chinese Mainland's long-term economic and social development, emphasizing Hong Kong's integral role within the broader national strategy. By acting as a bridge, Hong Kong facilitates key connections that drive economic growth and technological advancement across the region.
The city's efforts to enhance its role are particularly relevant as China-Africa economic relations continue to evolve. These relations are pivoting towards high-value trade and investment, moving beyond traditional commodity exchanges. This shift reflects a maturing economic partnership, where advanced manufacturing, technology transfer, and financial services are gaining prominence. Hong Kong's infrastructure and financial services are presented as vital in facilitating this shift, offering a gateway for African enterprises seeking to access the broader Asian-Pacific market and for Asian capital to flow into Africa’s growing economies. The city's sophisticated financial ecosystem, including its capital markets and wealth management services, provides the necessary tools for complex cross-border transactions and investments, supporting this evolution in trade.
Official Remarks and Outlook
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Ms Loretta Lee is embarking on an eight-day visit, which includes stops in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Kigali, Rwanda. Ms Lee will represent InvestHK at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, commencing on May 13. During her visit, Ms Lee noted Africa's strategic importance, stating, "Africa holds a strategic position in the Global South, representing a vital engine of growth in an era of global economic uncertainty." She added that "Interconnectivity is the key to unlocking this potential, and Hong Kong plays a strategic role in linking capital, talent, and innovation and technology between Africa, the Chinese Mainland, and international markets to drive high-quality, multilateral growth." Her remarks show the mutual benefits of enhanced collaboration, positioning Hong Kong as an essential partner in fostering global economic resilience.
Ms Lee further elaborated on InvestHK's role, noting, "As the Government’s arm for both inward investment and Chinese Mainland enterprises aiming to go global, InvestHK facilitates two-way investment through strategic market insights, extensive global access, targeted promotion and policy facilitation." InvestHK also positions Hong Kong as the world’s pre-eminent offshore Renminbi hub, enhancing its appeal for international financial transactions. This status provides significant advantages for businesses engaging with the Chinese Mainland, offering efficient and reliable Renminbi-denominated financial services. The full support offered by InvestHK, combined with Hong Kong's unique financial infrastructure, creates an attractive environment for global businesses. In a moment of cultural connection, the South African national rugby team recently secured their first-ever title at the Hong Kong Sevens, adding a touch of shared sporting success to the burgeoning relationship.
