Nairobi — A forum aimed at cementing Sino- African business ties will be held in Accra, Ghana later this month, organizers said in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The "China Meets Africa" Forum to be held on Aug. 30-31 will offer an opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain better understanding of a blossoming economic partnership between the Asian giant and the African continent.

Experts told an investors forum in Nairobi that economic growth in China and Africa hinges on trade, investments and technology transfer.

"China is a good partner in business and African entrepreneurs should explore trade and investments opportunities there. Africa can benefit from China's experience in rapid economic transformation," said Mwai Kihu, the chairman, Amalgamated Chama Limited, the investment wing of Kenya Association of Investment Groups.

Kihu noted that the south-south cooperation has boosted trade relations between Africa and China.

"This cooperation is materializing and will accelerate economic growth in Africa," Kihu said, stressing that the economic relationship between Africa and China is mutual.

He said the Accra forum will provide a platform for greater interaction among political and business class, academia and multilateral institutions to debate the economic partnership between Africa and China.

Samuel Seddoh, a consultant at China-Europe International Business School (CEIBS), one of the forum organizers, said that Chinese and African entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to share knowledge, network and establish long-term partnerships.

"We are targeting small medium enterprises, Chinese companies and investors, investment banks and public investment promotion agencies," Seddoh said.

He added that the forum will bring on board strategic sectors of the economy including agribusiness, ICT and telecoms, energy and mining, manufacturing, infrastructure and construction.

Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire are the five African countries targeted in this forum. Kenyan companies have forged strategic partnership with their Chinese counterparts in the last decade.

Laura Akunga, the Managing Director, Benchmark Solutions, a Kenyan outsourcing company, noted that Kenyan companies have not yet tapped into the lucrative Chinese market.

"There are countless opportunities in the Chinese market across a wide range of sectors. Kenyan companies should position themselves for increased trading with China," Akunga said.