China's zero-tariff policy toward Africa is expected to boost the continent's industrialization and bring benefits to multiple sectors, said Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Ashipala‑Musavyi said the sweeping tariff measure will accelerate Africa’s industrialization and open new opportunities across trade, services, and tourism.
"The benefits of the gesture from China is going to generate industrialization. We are going to begin to add more value to what we are exporting to China. I think a lot of businesspeople are going to be coming to China and see what are the needs. So, tourism will also benefit and vice versa in terms of transportation, will benefit, services will benefit, people to people will benefit. So, because we see trade as a peace building measure also. We don't just want to trade, we also want to have a better understanding among people. The whole collective will actually benefit from this gesture and we hope that other countries can do the same," she said.
Effective since May 1, the policy grants zero‑tariff access to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China, making Beijing the first major economy to extend such comprehensive treatment.
At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah is paying a state visit to China from July 5 to 11.
On Thursday in Beijing, she met Premier Li Qiang, who called Namibia an important African partner and pledged to carry forward traditional friendship, support each other’s core interests, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation to advance modernization.
Nandi‑Ndaitwah said Namibia values China’s global role and is ready to deepen multilateral coordination to promote regional peace, stability and development.
China's zero-tariff policy spurs Africa's industrialization: Namibian minister
