China has announced plans to remove tariffs on imports from all African countries starting Friday, with the exception of Eswatini due to its continued diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The policy expansion builds on an earlier arrangement introduced in December 2024, when Beijing granted duty-free access to 33 least-developed African nations. The updated framework now extends to 53 African countries and is set to remain in effect until 30 April 2028, though future arrangements remain uncertain.
Chinese authorities have described the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen economic cooperation with Africa, positioning the country as a major supporter of open trade and development partnerships across the continent.
However, economic observers note that while the tariff removal may boost certain exports, especially agricultural goods, it does not automatically address deeper structural challenges facing African economies.
Analysts point out that Africa continues to run a significant trade deficit with China, with exports largely limited to raw materials such as crude oil and mineral resources, while importing higher-value manufactured goods from China.
In the previous year, the trade imbalance reportedly widened further, highlighting concerns about unequal benefits from the growing economic relationship.
Experts also suggest that countries with stronger industrial bases, such as South Africa and Morocco, are more likely to take advantage of the policy compared to less industrialised economies, which may struggle to scale up production.
While the tariff-free access could support sectors like agriculture by improving market entry for products such as coffee, nuts, and other farm exports, analysts warn that tariff changes alone are not enough to transform African economies without broader industrial and infrastructure development.
Economists also emphasise that without efforts to boost local manufacturing and value addition, African countries may continue to rely heavily on exporting raw materials, limiting long-term economic gains.
The exclusion of Eswatini has been widely interpreted by analysts as a political decision tied to its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. China considers Taiwan part of its territory, while Eswatini remains one of the few countries maintaining formal ties with the island.
Some observers argue that this move highlights how trade policy is increasingly being linked with geopolitical alignment, especially in the broader competition for influence between China and Taiwan.
