Companies from China and Africa have signed more than 40 deals totaling around 18 billion U.S. dollars after the Seminar on China-Africa Business Cooperation wrapped up on Thursday in Beijing.

More than 400 leaders of government agencies, financial institutions, business associations and enterprises attended the talks -- where they discussed industrial cooperation, trade and investment ties, and bilateral financial frameworks.

"The African side has lots of resources and has a growing market, and needs technology, and expertise. And the Chinese side has the technology, has the expertise, and also -- importantly -- has the political will," said Mohammed Edris, assistant FM for African affairs, Egypt.

"We need to have a platform for government-to-government discussions, but also a platform for company-to-company discussions. More joint ventures, more public-private partnerships," said Dr. Roland Msiska, secretary to the Cabinet of Zambia.