China has extended zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with diplomatic ties, effective from May 1, covering 20 nations beyond the least developed category.
According to a statement from the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, the policy applies to all tariff lines. For tariff quota products, in-quota rates fall to zero while out-of-quota rates stay unchanged. The measure runs through April 30, 2028.
Thirty-three least developed African countries have held zero tariffs on all lines since December 2024. China-Africa trade reached $348 billion in 2025, with African exports to China totaling $123 billion.
Kenyan Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said at a March shipment ceremony that trade is the surest way of creating wealth and that the policy would improve the competitiveness of Kenyan exports. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama noted that tariff removal would support exports of higher-value goods such as processed cocoa products and textiles.
