By Omoniyi David
China has announced plans to eliminate tariffs on imports from all African countries, except Eswatini; as part of efforts to strengthen trade relations and expand access to its massive consumer market.
The pledge was made this week during a high-level economic and trade forum in Changsha, attended by African ministers and Chinese officials.
The initiative marks a significant expansion of China’s preferential trade policy, which previously focused on least-developed countries (LDCs).
Once implemented, the new arrangement will grant duty- and quota-free access to all African nations maintaining diplomatic relations with Beijing.
Eswatini, the only African country that officially recognises Taiwan, is excluded from the agreement.
Chinese officials said the tariff-free scheme will be formalised through negotiations and signed agreements in the coming months.
According to official figures, trade between China and Africa reached a record $295.6 billion in 2024.
Trade in the first quarter of 2025 stood at $72.6 billion, a 2.7 percent increase from the same period last year.
Since December 1, 2024, China has already offered zero tariffs on all tariff lines to African LDCs with formal ties to Beijing.
Chinese authorities say this policy has significantly boosted exports from countries such as Tanzania, Mali, and Ethiopia.
The proposed extension of the policy to include middle-income African economies such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt is seen as a move to further open China’s domestic market to a broader range of African products.
