Move under FOCAC aims to boost trade, support AU Agenda 2063, and expand market access for African exports….
China has announced that it will implement zero-tariff treatment on imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, effective May 1, 2026, a development aimed at deepening economic cooperation across the continent.
Reported by state media on Saturday via Reuters, the initiative forms part of broader efforts under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework, including the negotiation and signing of joint economic partnership agreements with African nations.
China plans to upgrade mechanisms such as its “green channel” to streamline customs, inspection, and quarantine procedures, facilitating easier access for African exports into Chinese markets.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that, in addition to zero-tariff treatment for all 100 percent tariff lines, special measures will support the least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa, enhancing trade in goods, technical training, and the promotion of quality African products.
Supporting Africa’s Development Agenda
The initiative aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which emphasizes modernization, industrialization, and sustainable development. Through this partnership, China intends to prioritize cooperation in green industry, e-commerce and digital payment systems, science and technology, and artificial intelligence.
The ministry also confirmed that efforts will be intensified in security, finance, and legal cooperation to strengthen the quality of China-Africa relations.
The zero-tariff plan, first announced in June 2025 under the Changsha Declaration, includes Nigeria among the beneficiaries, and signals a significant step in expanding trade, investment, and technical collaboration between China and African economies.
By facilitating easier access to Chinese markets, the initiative is expected to boost African exports, support local industrial development, and create opportunities for capacity-building across the continent.
