Beijing: China will expand zero-tariff treatment to all African countries that have diplomatic relations with it starting May 1, 2026, Chinese authorities announced on Tuesday. The initiative marks a significant step in China’s efforts to deepen economic ties and foster trade cooperation with the African continent.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the inclusion of an additional 20 African nations under the zero-tariff treatment policy illustrates China’s proactive commitment to high-standard opening up. From May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028, China will provide a preferential tariff rate to these African countries, which have established diplomatic relations with China but are not classified as the least developed countries, as announced by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.
The announcement detailed that for products under tariff quotas, only the in-quota tariff rate will be reduced to zero, while the out-of-quota tariff rate will remain unchanged. During the two-year implementation period, China will also promote the negotiation and signing of the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement with relevant African countries.
China had previously granted zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines since December 1, 2024, for 33 least developed African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. This latest move underscores China’s determination to strengthen the economic and trade cooperation bond with Africa and to work towards building a China-Africa community with a shared future.
China’s commerce ministry described the policy as a “significant measure,” highlighting that China will become the first major economy to offer unilateral, full-coverage zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with diplomatic ties. The ministry emphasized that the zero-tariff arrangement is an innovative step as China and African countries move towards signing the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement.
The initiative aims to counter unilateralism and protectionism, expanding the opening up of China’s market to create development opportunities for African countries. The China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement seeks to provide stable benefits and institutional safeguards for deepening economic relations.
The implementation of zero-tariff treatment is seen as a concrete step demonstrating China’s commitment to high-standard opening up and its initiative to foster trade and investment cooperation. This policy aligns with China’s broader efforts to build an open economy through mutually beneficial cooperation, as outlined in its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The plan pledges to improve the quality and level of trade and investment cooperation through 2030.