( CNN ) -- China has stepped up its engagement with Africa in recent years , scouring the resource-rich continent in its bid to access natural resources and forge new trade routes . But the Asian powerhouse is also emerging as an attractive business destination for Africans . China 's booming economy has been luring an increasing number of Africans to its shores in recent years , most of them eager to export goods from the world 's second-largest economy back into their continent . `` I found out there are a lot of opportunities of doing business , '' says Nigerian shop owner CJ Cajetan , who moved to Guangzhou two years ago as a student but decided to stay in China and try his luck as a clothes seller . Cajetan is one of the tens of thousands of Africans who 've gone to live and work in Guangzhou , a manufacturing city located on the Pearl River in southern China . This strong new trading community builds on a growing business engagement between the two sides . Already Africa 's largest trade partner , China 's economic cooperation with the continent has shot up in recent times . Two-way trade between the two surged to a record $ 114.8 billion in 2010 , according to Chinese authorities . Linking aid , trade and investment , Beijing 's business model in Africa involves building extensive infrastructure projects in the continent and granting loans in exchange for access to natural resources , trade opportunities and expansion into new markets . Read more : Why Asian giants scent opportunity in Africa . But the burgeoning relationship between the two has also seen a number of African companies trying to get a foothold in the Chinese market , hoping to tap the country 's growth and expanding middle class . South African drinks giant SABMiller has been working for years with a local Chinese brewer and now produces China 's biggest selling beer . Such success can be achieved by more African companies as their nations gain a firmer footing , according to consultant Kobus van der Wath . `` China is very open for business for us , '' says van der Wath , founder of Beijing Axis , a China-focused international advisory firm . `` China 's repositioning itself continuously for the new Africa that 's emerging . We 're very well received . We do n't come with baggage , '' he adds . But despite the growing opportunities , many Africans in China still feel the overall relationship is far from a two-way street . In Guangzhou , some Africans complain of discrimination , restrictions on religious practices and visa issues . Residents like shipper Festus Mbisiogu -- who has been working in China for six years -- say they have trouble getting documents allowing their families to join them , making it harder for them to settle down . `` Our children are not allowed to reside in China and our joy is not fully complete , we are not living with our children , '' says Mbisiogu , of Blue Diamond Logistics . `` To make the money is not the problem ... but what about your family ? '' Read more : Doing business in China : Five tips for success . Others say that navigating potential pitfalls , like protecting intellectual property , can also be a challenge in China . `` If people bring things into China to get them manufactured here , I think keeping that technology secret , as it were , will be very , very difficult , '' says Graham Hughes , a South African factory manager based near Beijing . The Chinese government says it 's fighting to protect intellectual property rights . It also says it welcomes foreigners to work and live in China and says its visa policies have been applauded . Beijing has also been sponsoring programs at Chinese universities to encourage young Africans to come to the country to study . See also : Is the West losing out to China in Africa ? One such student is Susanne Nambatya , from Uganda . `` I believe the social problems affecting China , they are the same problems affecting Uganda , '' says Nambatya . She takes part in a Masters program in Beijing , where she learns economic models that she hopes can spur her country to a sweeping transformation of its own . `` I keep asking my question , what is China doing that Uganda ca n't do ? '' she adds . Fellow African student Martin Larbi says his China experience has also been enlightening . `` Coming to China I have seen the other side of industrialization , '' he says . `` I believe industrialization promotes the development of the economy , but the other side I 've seen is the pollution of the environment -- it 's hard for me to see the blue skies I used to see in my country . '' But back in Guangzhou , Cajetan has adapted to his new environment . Like the students in Beijing , he wants to help modernize his home country one day by drawing on his experience in China . `` My plan is to establish a factory because I like to live in Lagos , '' he says . `` I like to help people . I want to employ people to work at my factory . ''
Large numbers of Africans are seeking economic opportunities in China . Many are keen to export goods from world 's second - largest economy back into Africa . Beijing is sponsoring scholarships at its universities to encourage Africans to study in China . Despite opportunities there are still many challenges for Africans doing business in China .