China to Implement Zero-Tariff Policy for 53 African Nations Starting May 1
BEIJING — China will officially eliminate tariffs on imports from 53 African countries effective May 1, 2026, state media reported on Saturday. The announcement, made by President Xi Jinping, marks a significant expansion of Beijing’s preferential trade regime and fulfills a key pledge to broaden market access for African goods.
The new policy extends zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for all African nations that maintain diplomatic relations with China. This move widens the scope of a previous initiative which primarily targeted 33 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Africa. The waiver applies to every African state except Eswatini, which continues to hold diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
President Xi, whose remarks coincided with the annual African Union summit in Ethiopia, stated that the initiative “will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for African development” and help transform China’s massive consumer market into a significant opportunity for the continent. The decision comes as Beijing seeks to solidify its position as Africa’s largest trading partner, a title it has held for over a decade.
Trade analysts view the May 1 implementation date as a strategic step to bolster economic ties amid shifting global trade dynamics. The removal of tariffs is expected to benefit a wide range of African exports, moving beyond raw materials like crude oil and minerals to include agricultural products and manufactured goods. This diversification has been a long-standing request from African leaders seeking to reduce trade deficits and industrialize their economies.
The policy follows commitments made during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, where Beijing promised to unilaterally open its markets. By extending duty-free access to virtually the entire continent, China is positioning itself as a reliable economic partner amidst uncertainties surrounding other global trade frameworks, such as the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union.
Bilateral trade between China and Africa has seen consistent growth, reaching record highs in recent years. However, the balance of trade has historically favored China, driven by its exports of finished goods and technology. The new zero-tariff regime is designed to address these imbalances by lowering entry barriers for African exporters.
While the immediate economic impact will depend on the capacity of African industries to scale production, the diplomatic signal is clear. “We have decided to grant zero-tariff treatment to all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China,” Xi had previously noted, framing the policy as a route to “modernization that is open and win-win.”
Implementation details are expected to be released by China’s Customs Tariff Commission in the coming weeks, outlining specific compliance procedures for African exporters aiming to utilize the new duty-free status starting in May.
* malaymail.com
* businessinsider.com
* arabnews.com
* straitstimes.com
* punchng.com
* ntu.edu.sg
* www.gov.cn
* ena.et
* guardian.co.tt
* sinoug.org
* cameroontradehub.cm
