China has announced that it will commence a comprehensive zero-tariff policy on imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, starting from May 1, 2026, in a move aimed at deepening trade ties and expanding economic cooperation across the continent.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to a report by Reuters on Saturday, Chinese state media confirmed that the initiative will eliminate customs duties on a wide range of African exports, making it easier for goods from participating countries, including Nigeria, to enter the Chinese market. The policy is expected to significantly boost African exports, stimulate industrial growth, and enhance trade balance between both regions.
As part of the broader strategy, China also plans to accelerate negotiations and finalise joint economic partnership agreements with African nations. These agreements are designed to strengthen long-term collaboration, support industrial development, and improve access to China’s vast consumer market.
Authorities said existing trade facilitation mechanisms, including the country’s green channel, would be upgraded to speed up customs clearance, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and expand market entry opportunities for African products.
The zero-tariff initiative builds on commitments announced on June 13, 2025, under the Changsha Declaration within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). At the time, China pledged to fully implement a duty-free regime for 53 African countries as part of its broader plan to strengthen economic integration and shared development.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the programme aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which focuses on sustainable development, industrialisation, and economic transformation. The ministry reiterated that the goal is to encourage high-quality African exports, improve production capacity, and promote modernisation across key sectors.
“China is ready to, through negotiating and signing the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, expand the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, or all African countries except Eswatini, to welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market,” the ministry said.
For Africa’s least developed countries, the Chinese government disclosed that additional support measures would be introduced beyond the zero-tariff framework announced at the 2024 Beijing FOCAC Summit. These include simplified inspection and quarantine processes, faster customs procedures, improved logistics systems, expanded technical training, and targeted promotion of African goods within China.
The ministry added that China would intensify cooperation in green industry, e-commerce, digital payments, science and technology, and artificial intelligence, as part of its 10 partnership actions for modernisation. It also pledged to strengthen collaboration in security, finance, and legal frameworks to ensure stable and sustainable growth in China-Africa relations.
