China announced Thursday that it will eliminate all tariffs on exports from 53 African nations it maintains diplomatic relations with, as part of a new economic initiative aimed at boosting trade and market access.
The move, unveiled after a high-level meeting between Chinese and African foreign ministers in Changsha, will extend duty- and quota-free access—previously available only to least developed countries (LDCs)—to middle-income African economies as well.
“China is ready to welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market,” the foreign ministry said in a statement following the talks, which reviewed progress on commitments made at last year’s Beijing summit.
The plan is expected to benefit more industrialized African nations with growing manufacturing capacity, such as Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco. Analysts say the policy could help African economies tap into China’s vast consumer market with value-added exports.
“This levels the playing field and allows middle-income countries to enter the Chinese market duty-free,” said Hannah Ryder, CEO of Africa-focused consultancy Development Reimagined.
To mitigate the risk of marginalizing less-developed nations, China also pledged additional support for LDCs, including training programs and promotional support for African businesses.
While China-Africa trade has expanded in recent years, it remains heavily imbalanced, with Beijing recording a $62 billion trade surplus in 2024. Ryder said that unless African exports rise, the deficit will continue to widen—though the tariff removal could help shift that dynamic.
Last year, China committed 360 billion yuan (about $50 billion) in credit lines and investments to African economies over three years, signaling a renewed push into the continent following a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.