China said it will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic ties beginning May 1, in a sweeping move to deepen economic engagement and open its markets to African goods. The decision, announced by President Xi Jinping in a message tied to the 39th African Union summit, builds on a series of tariff cuts and expands duty-free access that had previously covered a smaller group of nations.
China’s trade with African countries has surged to record levels in recent years, with total bilateral trade reaching about $348 billion in 2025, according to data compiled by analysts and customs figures, up sharply from roughly $295.6 billion in 2024. Chinese exports to the continent climbed more rapidly than imports, rising to about $225 billion while imports from African states were around $123 billion in 2025, leaving a substantial trade surplus in Beijing’s favour.
Official Chinese customs data for 2024 showed exports to Africa of about $178.8 billion while imports from the continent totalled roughly $116.8 billion, reflecting persistent structural imbalances even as trade volumes grew. Trade through the first eight months of 2025 also showed robust growth, with bilateral trade up more than 15 percent year-on-year to around $222 billion, driven mainly by strong Chinese shipments of manufactured goods.
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The zero-tariff policy will eliminate duties on almost all goods shipped from eligible African nations, potentially boosting agricultural exports, light manufactured products and other high-value items into the Chinese market. Beijing also plans procedural improvements such as an enhanced “green channel” to speed customs clearance and reduce red tape for African exporters, officials said.
Africa’s only exclusion from the scheme is Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a point of contention for Beijing. Chinese officials said the broader tariff elimination aims to support development and diversification of African economies by widening market access and narrowing the trade gap.
Analysts said the move underscores Beijing’s strategy to offer greater economic incentives to partner regions amid shifting global trade dynamics and growing competition from other major powers. African government officials and business leaders have broadly welcomed the measure, but traders say the impact will hinge on detailed product coverage and certification rules that will be issued ahead of the May rollout.
