China has now eliminated tariffs on imports from every African country except one, as a policy granting tariff-free access for Africa's largest economies took effect on Friday. This move comes while the United States, under President Donald Trump, pursues protectionist import taxes.
Tariff-Free Access for 53 African Nations
The Chinese deal covers Africa's 20 largest economies, including South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, and Kenya. China had previously removed tariffs on 33 poorer African nations, meaning that 53 of the continent's 54 countries are now eligible for what China describes as 'tariff-free treatment' for their goods.
The sole African nation not included is Eswatini, a small kingdom that is the only African country maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and insists that other nations sever official relations with Taipei.
Promoting Mutual Development
The Customs Tariff Commission of China's State Council stated that the agreement would foster common development between China and Africa. China's official Xinhua News Agency reported that a shipment of 24 metric tons of apples from South Africa, cleared through customs in Shenzhen early Friday, was the first consignment to enter under the new zero-tariff policy.
According to Xinhua, China's Commerce Ministry noted that the policy would particularly benefit African products such as cocoa from Ivory Coast and Ghana, coffee and avocados from Kenya, and citrus fruits and wine from South Africa. These goods previously faced tariffs ranging from 8% to 30%.
Ivory Coast is the world's largest cocoa producer, and together with Ghana, accounts for over 50% of global supply. South Africa is a major exporter of citrus fruits.
African Nations Diversifying Away from US Market
Several of Africa's leading economies have indicated they would seek new markets for some products previously destined for the US, following the Trump administration's imposition of reciprocal tariffs a year ago. At one point, rates reached 30% for South Africa, Africa's largest economy, and exceeded 40% for some other African nations.
South African Trade Minister Parks Tau said in February during bilateral talks in China: 'South Africa looks forward to working with China in a friendly, pragmatic and flexible manner.'
Although the US Supreme Court struck down Trump's sweeping global tariffs as unconstitutional in February, the Republican president said his administration had 'very powerful alternatives' and promptly introduced temporary import taxes to replace them.
China's Dominant Trade Position in Africa
China is already Africa's largest trade partner. The continent, home to 1.5 billion people, is projected by the United Nations to nearly double its population to 2.5 billion by 2050, when it would represent more than a quarter of the world's population.
China has hailed its tariff-free deal as promoting common development, but there is a significant trade imbalance between China and Africa, and African nations owe Beijing billions of dollars in debt repayments.
China-Africa trade reached a record $348 billion in 2025. However, China's exports to Africa rose by approximately 25% to $225 billion, while its imports from Africa increased by only about 5% to $123 billion, widening the trade deficit for Africa.
China has historically imported raw materials from Africa and exported manufactured goods in return. Thierry Pairault, a China-Africa expert at France's National Center for Scientific Research, noted that while the new policy may benefit some agricultural products, most African raw material exports like oil and minerals already had tariff-free access to China.
Pairault wrote in an assessment published by the China Global South Project: '(Chinese leader) Xi Jinping is positioning China as the antithesis of Western protectionism. This gesture is intended to appeal to both African public opinion and global markets.' However, he added that the policy 'only applies where it costs (China) almost nothing.'
