Beijing will remove all duties on goods from 53 African nations, aiming to rebalance trade and drive deeper ties
China has announced a significant shift in its economic policy toward Africa, pledging to remove all tariffs on exports from the 53 African nations with which it holds diplomatic relations. The groundbreaking move aims to balance the heavily skewed trade relationship and open the door to deeper economic cooperation.
A Bold Tariff-Waiver Declaration
At a high-level meeting in Changsha on June 12, 2025, China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that it would eliminate all import duties on goods from both least developed countries (LDCs) and middle-income African nations. Previously, only LDCs enjoyed duty‑ and quota‑free access. This expansion now includes economic powerhouses like Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco. Analysts warn that without action, China’s annual $62 billion surplus with Africa would persist.
Levelling the Playing Field for All Exporters
China’s decision combines sweeping reform with assistance safeguards. Recognizing that LDCs might be disadvantaged by competition from more advanced African economies, Beijing committed to providing training, marketing support, and other technical assistance specifically targeted at countries like Tanzania and Mali. This equips less-developed African exporters to compete in China’s market without being overshadowed.
Widening Benefits for Middle-Income Nations
Experts, including Hannah Ryder from Development Reimagined, warn that Africa’s trade surplus with China remains minuscule: “Unless we have an equivalent increase of African exports to China, then trade deficits will continue to increase”. The new tariff waiver empowers processing and manufacturing sectors in nations such as South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco, enabling them to compete internationally—that is, provided goods meet requisite standards.
Strategic Depth and Geopolitical Message
The Changsha gathering also produced a unified message calling on other global powers—especially the U.S.—to resolve trade disputes through equal and respectful dialogue. By deepening economic ties with Africa, China is positioning itself as a reliable partner amid shifting global supply chains and declining domestic momentum—while indirectly challenging Western-led trade frameworks.
Trade Shifts & Investment Outlook
This new policy complements China’s prior pledge of 360 billion yuan (∼$50 billion) in credit and investment to Africa over three years. Coupled with tariff removal, it signals a strategic pivot: from lending-heavy engagement to trade-centric growth. For investors in manufacturing, agriculture, and value-added sectors across Africa, the change unlocks new export channels to one of the world’s largest markets. Regional exporters now have stronger incentives to scale up production—though navigating Chinese quality standards remains crucial.
Potential Opportunities
For businesses and investors in Africa this development is more than headline news—it’s a tangible shift in market access:
- Enhanced export opportunities: African exporters can achieve lower-cost access for everything from processed foods to finished textiles and machinery.
- Strategic equity investments: Manufacturing and agro-processing ventures now have elevated potential.
- Partnership prospects: Investors can facilitate technical partnerships and standard-compliance programs that enable African exporters to meet Chinese market demands.
- Diversification potential: Gulf-based capital and expertise in strategic African sectors (e.g., agribusiness, renewable energy, logistics) can now interlock more effectively with market-driven African growth.
China’s full removal of tariffs on African exports marks a pivotal moment, offering a pathway to fairer trade and inclusive growth across the continent. For Gulf Africa investors and trade stakeholders, seizing the moment requires targeted partnerships, capacity-coaching for local producers, and readiness to operate at scale in response to newfound market access.
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