A senior South African official welcomed China's new zero-tariff policy for African countries, saying it could help Africa escape the "raw material export trap" and move further into the global green supply chain.
China, with its newly announced zero-tariff policy for African countries and its supersized market, will provide Africa with new development opportunities and help African countries navigate the current global economic turbulence, according to Chinese authorities.
The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Tuesday that from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028, China will grant zero-tariff treatment, in the form of a preferential tariff rate, to 20 African countries that have established diplomatic ties with China and are not classified as the least developed countries. This follows the country's earlier decision to grant zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines, effective from Dec 1, 2024, for 33 least developed African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.
The ministry said the zero-tariff arrangement is an innovative, phased step as China and relevant African countries work toward the signing of the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement.
"Zero tariffs will certainly announce trade. And we want to thank the leadership of your country (China) for having the foresight to bring about the zero tariffs because if you look at what is coming from the West, the high tariffs that are being imposed. That is causing trade relations to be strained," said Les Govender, deputy chairman of the South African National Council of Provinces.
"Now, when you have a country like China that says zero tariffs. That actually encourages trade between the various countries," he said.
China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Wednesday that the latest move will create opportunities on multiple fronts, saying that the zero tariffs will lower the cost of African products entering the Chinese market, giving them a competitive edge.
The statement said the zero tariffs will help attract China and other trading partners to increase investment in Africa, bringing capital, technology, equipment and management expertise to process African specialty products locally before exporting them to China.
It said this will promote the formation and upgrading of Africa's industrial chains, supporting Africa's industrialization and agricultural modernization. It will also help promote balanced and sustainable growth in China-Africa trade.
China's zero-tariff policy offers African exports new opportunities: S African official
