China to scrap tariffs for most of Africa from 1 May, says Xi Jinping
It's another hurdle lowered for more Chinese-African trade: Beijing announced on Saturday that it would scrap tariffs for imports from 53 African countries. Eswatini is the only one not on the list as it maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, whose sovereignty China challenges.
China will scrap import tariffs on goods from 53 African countries starting 1 May 2026, President Xi Jinping has announced, in a move aimed at strengthening trade ties between Beijing and the continent.
The zero-tariff measure will apply to all African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China, with Eswatini excluded due to its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which China regards as a breakaway province.
Beijing had previously implemented a zero-tariff policy for imports from 33 African nations, but the new arrangement expands the benefit to nearly the entire continent.
The decision is expected to provide broader market access for African exports into the Chinese market and further deepen economic cooperation.
China is Africa’s largest trading partner, with trade between both sides reaching approximately $222 billion in early 2025.
Officials say the removal of tariffs is designed to increase trade volumes and create new development opportunities for African economies, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, minerals and manufactured goods.
The announcement comes at a time of shifting global trade dynamics, with several African countries seeking diversified partnerships amid tariff pressures from other major economies.
In addition to eliminating tariffs, China has indicated plans to continue negotiating economic partnership arrangements and to enhance trade facilitation measures, including customs processes, to ease the flow of goods.
While the zero-tariff policy is expected to lower export costs for African producers, analysts note that the full impact will depend on factors such as production capacity, logistics, value addition and non-tariff barriers.
The move nonetheless signals a significant step in China-Africa trade relations and is positioned as part of Beijing’s broader strategy to strengthen long-term economic ties with the continent.
