The President of China, President Xi Jinpinghas announced that it will remove import tariffs on all goods coming from 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with Beijing.
The announcement, made on February 14, 2026, in a message to African Union leaders gathered in Addis Ababa, stated that onMay 1st, the policy will eliminate duties on all categories of goods, including agricultural products, processed foods, textiles, and minerals, entering China from across the continent.
This expansion sweeps in middle-income economies such as Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya, which previously faced Chinese import duties as high as 25 per cent on certain goods.
The policy is paired with an upgrade of China’s “Green Channel,” a fast-track customs mechanism designed to benefit agricultural exporters.
Perishables such as Kenyan avocados, Rwandan coffee, and South African stone fruits, which historically lost value in slow customs queues, will now move through Chinese ports faster and at a lower cost.
Experts noted that China is forfeiting an estimated $1.4 billion in annual tariff revenue to facilitate this commitment.
Beyond tariff elimination, China has entered negotiations for bilateral Economic Partnership Agreements to layer investment and technology transfer on top of market access.
South Africa’s Trade Minister, Parks Tau, signed a framework agreement with China’s Ministry of Commerce in early 2026, with an “Early Harvest Agreement” expected by March.
The policy also places a strong emphasis on “rules-of-origin” compliance, creating an incentive for local processing within Africa.
For example, a Ghanaian firm refining cocoa into chocolate will benefit more than one exporting raw beans.
This design encourages African nations to shift from exporting raw materials to high-value processed goods. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on other major global economies to follow Beijing’s lead in providing such comprehensive market access.
Source: TV BRICS
Image Credit: Khusoko
