China zero-tariff policy starts for Africa’s 20 biggest economies, expanding tariff-free access

China began a two-year plan on Friday that removed import tariffs for Africa’s 20 biggest economies. The move took effect as the United States pursued new import taxes under President Donald Trump. China said the policy aimed to widen access for African goods. It also came as several African governments searched for other export markets.

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The new China policy covered major African economies such as South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria and Kenya. China said 33 poorer African countries already received zero tariffs. That meant 53 of Africa’s 54 countries were eligible. China said Eswatini was excluded because it maintained formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

China tariff-free access for African exports

China’s Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said the arrangement would promote the common development of China and Africa. Xinhua said 24 metric tons of apples from South Africa cleared customs in Shenzhen early on Friday. Xinhua described it as the first shipment under the new zero-tariff policy.

Xinhua said China’s Commerce Ministry expected gains for cocoa from Ivory Coast and Ghana. It also cited coffee and avocados from Kenya. Citrus fruits and wine from South Africa were also listed. Xinhua said these goods earlier faced tariffs between 8 per cent and 30 per cent.

Ivory Coast was the world’s biggest cocoa producer, by a large margin. Ivory Coast and Ghana together supplied more than 50 per cent globally. South Africa was also a major exporter of citrus fruits. China said lower costs at the border could increase demand. It also said the policy could support trade volumes.

African economies and US tariffs under Donald Trump

Several large African economies said they would find new buyers for US-bound exports. This followed reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration a year ago. The rates reached 30 per cent for South Africa at one stage. Some other African countries faced rates above 40 per cent.

South African Trade Minister Parks Tau spoke during bilateral talks in China in February. Parks Tau said, "South Africa looks forward to working with China in a friendly, pragmatic and flexible manner,\". The shift reflected pressures from higher US trade costs. It also reflected interest in stable access to large markets.

The US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s wide global tariffs as unconstitutional in February. The Republican president said the administration had very powerful alternatives. Trump then introduced temporary import taxes to replace them. That created continued uncertainty for exporters around the world.

China-Africa trade imbalance and debt concerns

China remained Africa’s largest trade partner, China said. The continent had about 1.5 billion people and could reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the UN said. By then, Africa would have over a quarter of the world’s population. That growth increased interest in long-term trade links.

China called the deal a shared development measure, yet trade remained uneven. China-Africa trade hit a record USD 348 billion in 2025. China’s exports to Africa rose about 25 per cent to USD 225 billion. Imports from Africa rose about 5 per cent to USD 123 billion. This widened Africa’s deficit.

African nations also owed Beijing billions in debt repayments, the report said. China often bought raw materials from Africa and shipped back manufactured products. Thierry Pairault, from France’s National Centre for Scientific Research, said the policy might help farm goods. Pairault noted many raw materials already entered China duty-free.

Pairault wrote that Xi Jinping was presenting China as the antithesis of Western protectionism. Pairault added, \"This gesture is intended to appeal to both African public opinion and global markets,\". Pairault also wrote, \"But the policy only applies where it costs China almost nothing,\". China kept stressing development language around the policy.

With inputs from PTI