CHINA TO SCRAP TARIFFS FOR AFRICAN COUNTRIES FROM MAY 1

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Agency Report

Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced that China will eliminate trade tariffs on imports from all African countries beginning May 1.

Xi made the declaration at the ongoing annual African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, describing the move as a major step toward strengthening economic cooperation between China and the continent.

China already operates a zero-tariff policy for imports from 33 African countries. However, Beijing had earlier pledged under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework to extend the benefit to all 53 African nations with diplomatic ties to China.

According to Chinese state media, the zero levies will apply to all African countries except Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over the democratic island.

China remains Africa’s largest trading partner and a major financier of infrastructure projects across the continent under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The latest development comes amid shifting global trade dynamics, as several African countries diversify partnerships following tariff measures introduced last year by US President Donald Trump.

Xi said the zero-tariff arrangement “will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for African development,” reinforcing China’s commitment to deeper economic collaboration through FOCAC, which prioritises infrastructure, industrialisation, trade expansion, agriculture, and digital technology.

At the 2024 Beijing Summit, China outlined 10 partnership actions aimed at accelerating Africa’s development across multiple sectors.