China confirms zero-tariffs for most African countries

China has decided to implement zero-tariff treatment for imports from 53 African countries, a move that comes amid lingering uncertainty over the future of the US’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) and continued trade tensions between African nations and the European Union over Economic Partnership Agreements. According to Business Insider Africa, until now, duty-free access had applied only to selected African countries. Beijing had granted zero-tariff treatment on 97% to 98% of tariff lines for 33 African least developed countries (LDCs), before expanding that coverage in 2024 to include all products originating from African LDCs. The new measure broadens the regime to nearly the entire continent, extending duty-free access to all African countries except eSwatini, which maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The decision follows sustained diplomatic engagement by African leaders. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently travelled to China to advance trade discussions. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has also repeatedly urged measures to address structural trade imbalances between China and African economies. Trade between China and Africa has grown rapidly but remains heavily skewed. Bilateral trade reached $222.05bn between January and August 2025, up 15.4% year-on-year, according to China’s General Administration of Customs. Chinese exports to Africa surged 24.7% to $140.79bn, while imports from Africa rose just 2.3% to $81.25bn Africa’s trade deficit with China widened to $59.55bn in the first eight months of 2025, nearly matching the full-year 2024 deficit of $61.93bn. The imbalance reflects Africa’s reliance on raw materials such as crude oil, copper, cobalt and iron ore, while importing higher value-added manufactured goods from China. Beijing says the zero-tariff regime is designed to boost African exports and rebalance trade flows.

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