China to Scrap Tariffs on African Imports

President Xi Jinping announced Saturday that China will eliminate tariffs on imports from nearly all African countries starting May 1, expanding trade access across the continent.

Under the new policy, tariff exemptions will apply to all African nations except Eswatini. Beijing currently grants duty free treatment to 33 African countries but confirmed last year that it intended to extend the policy to all 53 African diplomatic partners.

Xi announced during a meeting of African leaders in Ethiopia at the annual summit of the African Union.

The Chinese leader said the zero tariff agreement “will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for African development,” underscoring Beijing’s deepening economic engagement with the continent.

China is Africa’s largest trading partner and a key backer of major infrastructure projects through its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. The tariff removal is expected to strengthen trade flows, increase African exports to China and reinforce Beijing’s strategic influence across African markets.

The move signals China’s continued push to expand economic partnerships in Africa, as global powers compete for investment, supply chains and political ties on the resource rich continent.