Africa is an essential non-traditional market for Indonesia. Unfortunately, long historical and cultural relation are not manifested enough into economic relation between the two. There are culprit factors for this, such as deficiency of diplomatic infrastructure, emotional and inter-generational gaps on development and historical relations as well as lack of academic studies focusing on African market penetration strategy. These factors explain the ongoing disinclination for general Indonesian investor to start new business in Africa as well as stigmatization toward African and the development of the region. In order to bridge it, rereading trade relation especially focusing on knowledge production and trade networks between Indonesia and Africa and vice-versa is important. A case study of Tanah Abang trade networks is used to show the important actors, the relationship among actors, and institutional contexts and problems for Indonesia's trade with African countries. It highlights the roles of the African, namely the Igbo’s ethnic network and Malians (Mali's people) in Jakarta to facilitate trade between Indonesia and West Africa.