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By Goli Innocent
Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced that China will scrap trade tariffs for all African countries beginning May 1, in a move expected to reshape trade flows between Beijing and the continent.
Xi made the declaration at the ongoing African Union summit in Ethiopia, signalling what he described as a new phase in China–Africa economic cooperation.
China already operates a zero-tariff regime for imports from 33 African countries.
However, Beijing had indicated last year, under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), that it would expand the policy to cover all 53 African nations with which it maintains diplomatic relations.
According to Chinese state media, the zero-levy arrangement will apply to all African countries except Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has consistently opposed nations recognising the island as a separate state.
China is Africa’s largest trading partner and a major financier of infrastructure projects across the continent through its expansive Belt and Road Initiative.
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The tariff removal comes at a time when many African countries are reassessing global trade alliances.
In 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs worldwide, prompting several economies to diversify their trading partnerships.
Xi said the zero-tariff arrangement “will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for African development.”
FOCAC, which focuses on infrastructure, industrialisation and development assistance, aligns closely with the Belt and Road Initiative.
At its 2024 Beijing Summit, China outlined 10 partnership actions covering trade expansion, agriculture, digital technology and other sectors critical to Africa’s growth agenda.
For African exporters, the removal of tariffs could open wider access to the vast Chinese market.
For Beijing, it further consolidates its economic and diplomatic footprint across the continent at a time of shifting global alliances.
