China announced that starting from May 1, 2026, it will cancel import tariffs for all African countries except Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. This was reported by Chinese state media, citing leader Xi Jinping.
Eswatini (Swaziland), located between South Africa and Mozambique, has a population of 1.4 million people.
China has already implemented a zero-tariff policy on imports from 33 African countries, and it is now being extended to nearly the entire continent.
Xi Jinping stated that the zero-tariff agreement "will open new opportunities for Africa's development." He announced the date for the removal of tariffs as February 14 during the annual African Union summit held in Ethiopia.
China is Africa's largest trading partner and a key investor in major infrastructure projects in the region as part of the extensive "Belt and Road Initiative."
The volume of China-Africa trade is expected to reach $222 billion by early 2025 and may increase following the removal of tariffs.
The new trade policy is being introduced at a time when African countries are increasingly moving away from the United States, which has imposed high tariffs on many of their goods.
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