China has removed tariffs on imports from almost all African countries, excluding Eswatini over its diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
The policy took effect Friday, offering tariff-free access to Africa’s largest economies while the United States raises protectionist trade measures.
It covers twenty major economies including South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, and Kenya, extending broad commercial opening across the continent.
China had already eliminated tariffs for thirty-three poorer nations, leaving fifty-three of fifty-four African countries now included in the scheme.
Eswatini remains excluded because it maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a rare political stance in African international relations today.
Chinese officials say the move promotes shared development, with the first shipment of South African apples already cleared in Shenzhen.
Agricultural exports like cocoa, coffee, citrus fruits, avocados, and wine are expected to benefit from previously high tariff reductions.
Ivory Coast and Ghana, dominant cocoa producers, account for more than half of global cocoa supply chains worldwide.
Trade relations remain imbalanced, with China exporting significantly more to Africa than it imports from the continent annually.
Bilateral trade reached a record 348 billion dollars in 2025, driven largely by manufactured Chinese goods exports.
Analysts say China positions itself against Western protectionism, using tariff-free access as soft power across developing regions.
Despite symbolic gains, experts note most African raw materials already entered China duty-free under existing trade frameworks.
The announcement comes as African countries diversify export markets following new US tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump.
