China will introduce zero customs tariffs on 100% of customs items for goods from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, Chinese media reported on Thursday.
“China is ready, through negotiations and the conclusion of a China-Africa economic partnership agreement for joint development, to extend the zero tariff regime to 100% of goods from 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, except Eswatini (which maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan), in order to open up access to high-quality African products to the Chinese market,” according to a joint China-Africa solidarity declaration signed by foreign ministers during a forum in Changsha (PRC).
For the least developed countries on the African continent, which have already been enjoying zero tariffs since last autumn, Beijing has promised further simplification of market access, in particular through the facilitation of inspections, quarantine requirements and customs procedures.
The meeting at the level of foreign ministers took place on 11 June in Changsha (Hunan Province). According to Chinese customs data, trade with Africa in 2024 amounted to $288 billion, which is more than 6% higher than last year. However, Africa’s share of China’s total trade is only 4.7%. According to Griffith University, China is the largest investor in Africa: in total, Beijing invested $21.7 billion in the continent’s economy in 2023 (including all construction contracts).
In 2023, trade between Africa and China reached a record $282 billion, mainly due to exports from the PRC. At the same time, African exports to China fell by 7%. Local producers note that it is difficult for them to enter the “closed Chinese market.” For example, Kenya earned $150 million from avocado exports in 2023. Only 10% of this amount went to China.
