In a landmark announcement, China has pledged to eliminate tariffs on 100% of imports from all African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing.
This policy shift marks a significant expansion from earlier initiatives, which only extended duty-free access to Africa’s least-developed nations.
The announcement was made by President Xi Jinping in a letter to African foreign ministers, confirming that all 53 African nations with formal ties to China will now benefit from comprehensive tariff exemptions across all product categories.
This sweeping trade reform is part of Beijing’s wider strategy to strengthen China-Africa economic relations, especially as it grapples with an enduring trade war with the United States. It builds upon commitments made during last year’s China-Africa summit, where 33 countries were granted limited duty-free access.
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China’s exports to Africa have already risen by 12.4% in the first five months of 2025, reaching a record 963 billion yuan (US$134 billion), a sign that trade momentum is gaining pace.
The move comes at a time when over 30 African countries face uncertainty over their access to U.S. markets under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has come under political scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, welcomed the announcement during a FOCAC coordination meeting in Changsha, urging China to support African inclusion in AI and space innovation. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to using this opportunity to enhance exports of agricultural goods, critical minerals, and value-added products.
As global trade alliances shift, China’s predictable and inclusive trade policy is positioning it as a key partner in Africa’s industrial and economic transformation.
