Business relationships often tell you where trade is heading long before the numbers do. The recent InvestHK mission to South Africa and Rwanda is one such example. It points to stronger business ties that could help you expand into Asia through Hong Kong. Led by InvestHK Associate Director-General Ms. Loretta Lee, the May 2026 mission focused on building trade, investment, and business partnerships with African markets. The broader business picture already backs this up. Hong Kong and Africa saw their trade grow to US$6.5 billion in 2025, with South Africa remaining Hong Kong’s largest trading partner on the continent. The delegation builds on this relationship while creating new opportunities if you’re looking to expand across both regions.
To help you make an informed decision about expansion, this article explains what the InvestHK mission aims to achieve, why Hong Kong is a strong choice for regional expansion, and which industries offer the greatest opportunities.
What Was the InvestHK Africa Mission 2026 All About?
The InvestHK Africa mission 2026 took place from 10 to 18 May 2026. Ms. Loretta Lee visited Johannesburg, South Africa, and Kigali, Rwanda.
During the mission, Ms. Loretta Lee met with chambers of commerce, government investment agencies, leading enterprises, and business organizations. She also joined C-suite executives at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali.
The conversation then turned to how African businesses could leverage Hong Kong as a base to run and develop their Asian business. It also covered access to capital, simpler cross-border transactions, and stronger connections with Mainland China.
During the visit, Ms. Lee said, “Africa has emerged as a vital engine of growth within the Global South….. Hong Kong has vast potential to play a unique role linking capital, talent, and innovation between Africa and our part of the world. At the same time, InvestHK will continue to be a driver of this interconnectivity, facilitating two-way investment through strategic market insights, extensive global access, targeted promotion, and policy facilitation.” Source
The mission reiterated that Hong Kong offers more than a route into Asia. It’s the offshore Renminbi market, and business services support supply chains and long-term growth. Both regions shared an interest in closer collaboration across innovation, manufacturing, and industry. Hong Kong was seen as a regional hub for South African businesses expanding into Asian markets.
Why is Doing Business in Hong Kong in 2026 a Practical Choice for African Companies?
There’s more to Hong Kong than its location. Here are the business advantages that make it an easier place to grow across Asia.
The “one country, two systems” policy
Under this policy, though Hong Kong is part of China, it has its own common-law system. It means judges use previous court decisions to guide rulings in similar cases. Unlike Hong Kong, Mainland China bases court decisions mainly on written laws.
This gives you greater legal certainty as judges follow established legal precedents. You also benefit from an independent court system that is familiar to international businesses.
Money can move freely across borders
Hong Kong has no foreign exchange controls. You can move capital in and out without restrictions. This makes it easier to pay suppliers, receive customer payments, and manage regional operations. The Hong Kong dollar maintains a linked exchange rate with the US dollar, helping maintain stability for international transactions.
Startupr insights: From our experience working with clients in the cross-border trade sector, we have found that free capital movement still requires AML checks. So keep your commercial invoices and source-of-funds organized. It will help you prove your legitimacy in the event of unusually large transactions.
A simple tax system reduces expansion costs
If you are expanding internationally, Hong Kong offers a simple and transparent tax system. It taxes the first HK$2 million of assessable profits at 8.25% and the remaining profits at 16.5%. It also does not impose VAT, GST, or capital gains tax. The city also follows a territorial tax system, meaning only profits earned in HK are generally taxed.
InvestHK supports companies beyond registration
Setting up a business is only one part of corporate expansion to Asia. InvestHK provides free support before, during, and after establishment. You can receive customized consultations, matching, and networking opportunities with relevant stakeholders.
If you’re a startup, StartmeupHK also connects overseas founders with investors, incubators, accelerators, and Hong Kong’s wider startup space. If you are in fintech or family offices, you can also receive dedicated support through FintechHK and FamilyOfficeHK.
Where Can African Businesses Benefit Most?
Hong Kong’s strengths align well with several industries that already have strong business links with Africa. These sectors offer some of the biggest opportunities:
Financial services and fintech
Mobile money has become one of Africa’s biggest fintech strengths. In 2025, Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for more than half of the world’s mobile money accounts. It, in fact, made up around 66% of global transaction value.
Hong Kong complements that growth with an international financial centre. It backed 5,221 startups last year, with Fintech as the major sector. The city also provides close links to global markets, multiple financing options, and an experienced workforce.
Commodity and cross-border trade
Africa supplies many of the minerals, metals, energy products, and agricultural commodities that support Asian industries. Hong Kong can add value by combining trade finance, offshore Renminbi settlement, and direct access to Mainland China.
As a qualifying physical commodity trader, you can take advantage of Hong Kong’s half-rate profits tax concession, reducing your applicable tax rate from 16.5% to 8.25%.
Green finance and renewable energy
Africa contains about 30% of the world’s reserves of key minerals, including cobalt, manganese, graphite, and lithium. All of these are essential for renewable energy technologies. That allows projects to access the capital needed through green and transition finance.
Hong Kong can support these projects through:
- A mature green finance ecosystem that provides access to green bonds, sustainability-linked financing, and international investors.
- Transition finance initiatives led by the HKMA and the Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group are helping expand financing for climate and decarbonization projects.
- It’s a ‘super-connector’ role, linking your African firm with Chinese and international investors, strategic partners, and supply chains through a single business hub.
Ready to Expand into Asia?
As trade between Africa and Hong Kong grows, so do your opportunities to expand into Asia.
If you’re ready to incorporate a company in Hong Kong, you can use it as a practical base to raise capital and expand across Mainland China and the wider Asian market. The recent InvestHK mission is part of that long-term commitment to closer business and investment ties.
While the opportunities in Hong Kong are huge, handling the local incorporation, bank coordination, and ongoing statutory compliance requires the right partner on the ground. Reach out to Startupr to get that support from day one.
