Building your brand: How African businesses can partner with Chinese private label manufacturers
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Clare Shi
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Key takeaways
If you’re doing research on how to source wholesale from 1688.com, you may have a few questions such as:
If you’re doing research on how to source wholesale from 1688.com, you may have a few questions such as:
If you’re doing research on how to source wholesale from 1688.com, you may have a few questions such as:
In Africa, private label products are gaining strong traction as businesses seek more control over branding, pricing, and margins. With increasing consumer openness to quality alternatives beyond big-name brands, private label goods are fast becoming a strategic growth opportunity for retailers, e-commerce sellers, and wholesalers alike.
If you’re looking to launch or expand your own product line, sourcing from China is worth considering. For over a decade, China has remained a global manufacturing powerhouse—offering cost efficiency, a vast network of experienced suppliers, and flexible production capabilities that suit both large and small businesses.
In this blog, we’ll explore how African businesses can successfully find and work with Chinese private label manufacturers to scale faster and smarter.
What is private labelling?
Private labelling is when you partner with a third-party manufacturer to produce goods for your businessand label the products with your own brand name. While the manufacturer handles the production side, your focus stays on what matters most: branding, marketing, and selling.
You can customise the private labelled product’s design, packaging, and positioning. Even though the product may not be unique in function, it looks and feels like your own.
By controlling the pricing, branding, and customer experience, you’re able to stand out in a crowded market of generic offerings.
For businesses in South Asia, private labelling offers a cost-effective way to scale without investing in manufacturing infrastructure.
However, like any business model, it comes with its risks. If you’re unable to sell the inventory, you may end up with unsold stock that can’t be easily offloaded to others.
Where can African businesses find Chinese private label manufacturers?
If you’re a African entrepreneur looking to source private label products from China, there are several proven ways to find reliable manufacturers — whether you prefer face-to-face conversations or online convenience.
1. Attend trade shows (in China or Locally)
Trade shows allow you to see product samples firsthand, evaluate quality, and establish strong supplier relationships — all in one place.
The biggest and most well-known event is the Canton Fair, held twice a year in Guangzhou, China (every April and October). Organized by the China Foreign Trade Centre and supported by the Ministry of Commerce, the Canton Fair is divided into three phases based on product categories — making it easier to find suppliers in your specific niche, whether it’s textiles, electronics, beauty, or home goods.
✅ Tip: Register early for the Canton Fair and check visa requirements to avoid last-minute delays.
If travelling to China isn’t feasible, keep an eye out for local or regional trade shows held in South Asian hubs like Delhi, Dhaka, or Karachi, where Chinese manufacturers sometimes participate.
2. Start with online research
If you aren’t able to attend any trade shows currently begin your manufacturer search online. Look for companies that specialize in your product category and offer private labelling or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) services.
While you can search directly on Google, a better and more reliable way to find private label suppliers in China is through B2B marketplaces like Alibaba and 1688.com
Alibaba.com
Alibaba is a global B2B marketplace that connects you with thousands of Chinese manufacturers. You can either directly search products you want to whitelable or you can filter suppliers that offer OEM/private label services. From there, you can read reviews, compare options, and message suppliers directly to discuss customisation, pricing, and samples.
Tip: Use keywords like “OEM,” “private label,” or “[product name] with custom logo” when searching.
How to pay suppliers on Alibaba
Alibaba supports several payment methods, including Secure Payment (Trade Assurance), bank transfers (T/T), credit/debit cards, and PayPal for sample orders. Each option varies in speed, cost, and buyer protection.
For fast and cost-effective payments, you can use the World Card by WorldFirst. Linked to your multi-currency World Account, the World Card lets you spend your collected funds (USD, CNY, or other currencies) directly on Alibaba—without unnecessary conversions. For every transaction, you get access to competitive exchange rates and cashback.
1688.com
1688 is the biggest B2B platform which mainly serves the domestic Chinese market. That means lower prices — but also more challenges. The site is in Mandarin, and many suppliers are not fluent in English.
You’ll need to:
- Use a browser translator to navigate the platform
- Possibly engage a sourcing agent or translator
While more complex, 1688 can give you access to more competitive pricing and small-batch factories.
How to pay suppliers on 1688.com?
Use WorldFirst (World Pay) to make international payments, as its the only authorised payment provider for making international payments on 1688.com.
Request initial quotes, compare MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), and get a feel for communication quality. However, be cautious — a polished website or good online reviews don’t always guarantee credibility. Always verify business licenses, certifications, and references when possible.
-> Take a look at our complete guide on how to buy on 1688 without knowing Chinese
Key questions African businesses should ask before choosing a private label manufacturer in China
Here are the key questions should always ask a private label manufacturer before working with them:
1. Can you share examples of your previous work with other brands?
2. Do you have valid business licenses and quality certifications?
3. What are your minimum order quantities (MOQs), payment terms, and average production lead time?
4. Will you include full branding in the sample product?
5. What manufacturing processes do you follow, and do you outsource any part of it?
Streamline your supplier payments from Africa with WorldFirst
Finding the right suppliers on Chinese trade platforms or at trade fairs is just the first step. For many African businesses, the real challenge comes next — making international payments without losing margins to hidden fees and poor exchange rates.
WorldFirst enables businesses across Africa to send fast, secure, and cost-effective payments to Chinese suppliers— so you can focus on growing your business, not worrying about transfer delays or losses.
Here’s how WorldFirst makes your payments easier:
Here’s how WorldFirst supports your business:
- Pay in 100+ currencies and get paid in 20+ currencies with one World Account.
- Use World Pay for secure, real-time payments to 1688.com with low fees and no hidden costs
- Spend globally with the World Card, a global business card that is linked directly to your multi-currency balance in World Account
- Collect payments from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways once you start selling your private label products online
- Track and manage all your global cash flow in one place with the World Account
Whether you’re a wholesaler in Delhi, an e-commerce brand in Dhaka, or a startup in Colombo — WorldFirst helps you streamline global payments while protecting your bottom line.
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute any advice. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Whilst the information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources we believe to be reliable, we make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information.
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