China’s decision to grant zero-tariff treatment to imports from 53 African countries starting May 1 will further strengthen China-Africa economic cooperation, expand market access for African exports, and spur Africa’s overall growth, analysts said.

Nicholas Mainza, national secretary of the Economics Association of Zambia, or EAZ, and Zambia’s Economist of the Year 2025, said the measure reflects China’s consistent commitment to mutually beneficial trade and South-South cooperation. Lowering tariffs will enhance the competitiveness of African goods in the Chinese market and create new opportunities for export-led growth, he said.

“If you want to increase trade volumes, you must provide incentives. Zero tariffs lower barriers and make African exports more competitive,” he said. “The more we export into China, the more foreign exchange we generate. That strengthens our reserves and supports domestic development, including infrastructure and industrialization.”

He noted that Zambia, traditionally reliant on copper exports, stands to benefit if it leverages the policy to diversify into value-added products and agro-processing.

At the same time, China will benefit from stable access to commodities and inputs needed for its vast industrial base, Mainza said, describing the arrangement as a balanced and strategic partnership.

Placing the development in a broader global context, he observed that while some economies are adopting more protectionist measures, China is choosing to expand market access.

“In an environment where some countries are increasing tariffs, China is taking the route of greater openness. That approach resonates with developing economies seeking growth through trade rather than aid,” he said.

He said that Zambia’s growing cooperation with China in mining, manufacturing, information and communications technology and agro-processing positions the country to take advantage of the new policy, provided local producers meet required quality and supply standards.

However, Mainza emphasized that African countries must strengthen productivity, logistics and standards compliance to maximize gains.

“Zero tariffs create opportunity, but preparedness determines the outcome,” he said. “The key is improving competitiveness and trade readiness.”

He described the initiative as part of a maturing China-Africa partnership anchored in trade, infrastructure development and industrial cooperation.

“This is not about dependency; it is about expanding trade and building capacity. If managed well, the zero-tariff policy can contribute meaningfully to Africa’s long-term economic transformation,” Mainza said.

Speaking at a news conference during China’s annual sessions of the top legislature and political advisory body in Beijing, which concluded on March 12, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is removing tariffs completely to boost trade, multiply benefits for the people, and help Africa access the enormous opportunities of the Chinese market.

China is strongly committed to supporting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, keeping global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, upholding the multilateral trading system centered on World Trade Organization, and defending a fair and open economic and trade order, he said.

China announced it would fully implement zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries having diplomatic ties with China during the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February. China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.

Grace Mutembo, high commissioner of Zambia to South Africa, also welcomed the zero-tariff policy, describing it as an opportunity to expand African exports.

Great opportunity

“That is a great opportunity for African countries, and Zambia in particular, because we are looking at expanding our exports,” she said. “China is one of the destinations that we are targeting for our products,” Mutembo said.

She added that Zambia and other African countries are seeking to increase value addition in sectors such as agriculture and mining before exporting products to China.

Charles Onunaiju, director of the Center for China Studies in Nigeria, described China’s zero-tariff access for African exports as a “game changer” for Nigeria, saying it offers a rare and practical opportunity to transform the country’s economy.

“Nigeria must seize China’s zero-tariff access for African exports as a ‘low-hanging fruit’ capable of transforming its economy and addressing insecurity,” he said in an interview with Arise News, a Nigerian TV news channel.

Onunaiju noted that China’s vast market of 1.4 billion people gives Nigeria unprecedented export potential, arguing that even a small share could deliver huge gains.

“If we can secure just 1 percent of China’s market, that would be considerably game-changing, especially in terms of economic diversification,” he said.

A Nairobi-based think tank noted that the landmark concession marks a major shift in the China-Africa narrative, which for the past two decades has largely revolved around the Belt and Road Initiative, characterized by massive infrastructure loans, port projects, and railway developments.

“Expanding this preferential treatment to all 53 recognized African nations — crucially bringing middle-income powerhouses like South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco into the fold — is a massive economic concession,” the HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies stated.

It noted that Beijing is decisively positioning itself as the undisputed, long-term economic partner of the Global South, stepping into the void left by rising Western protectionism as projections for the 2026 fiscal year suggest that China will forgo approximately $1.4 billion in annual tariff revenue to facilitate this transition.

“The May 2026 implementation of China’s zero-tariff policy for Africa represents a defining moment in global geoeconomics. It challenges the West’s highly conditional trade models and offers a distressed continent a direct pipeline to the world’s second-largest economy,” its report stated.

Ndumiso Mlilo in Johannesburg contributed to this story.

Chali Mulenga is a freelance journalist for China Daily.

Contact the writers at victor@chinadailyafrica.com