In many West African countries, including Senegal, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, Chinese green tea has evolved from a simple commodity into a foundational element of local social life. The tea is central to a ritual known as 'ataya' (or 'attaya'), which involves the preparation of strong, sweetened green tea served in three distinct rounds. This process is intentionally slow, providing a structured environment for friends, family, and colleagues to gather, converse, and strengthen social bonds.

Market data indicates that Chinese tea currently dominates the supply chain for this cultural practice, with Chinese imports accounting for over 90 percent of the tea consumed in these specific markets. The ritual is ubiquitous, appearing in settings ranging from formal government offices to informal roadside stalls. While the practice is deeply rooted in West African social tradition, the raw material is almost exclusively sourced from China, highlighting a significant intersection between Chinese trade exports and regional cultural habits in West Africa.