China has announced that a zero-tariff policy covering all tariff lines for products from 53 African countries will take effect on May 1, 2026. The announcement was made Tuesday during the inaugural China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit, held at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa. This policy applies to all African nations currently maintaining diplomatic ties with China.
The commitment to reach 100 percent zero tariffs for all African diplomatic partners was first established during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing in September 2024.
Addressing the inaugural meeting, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the African continent is widely recognized as a future engine of global growth.
He called on Chinese companies to increase investment in Africa to create value and supply chains with African companies for mutual benefit. Commending the policy, the Chairperson emphasized that it is of paramount importance for businesses across the continent to grow together.
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Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie noted that Africa-China cooperation is built on a “foundation of dignity and mutual respect.” He called for developing the partnership into a multi-layered model in which entrepreneurs, innovators, and the private sector become the primary drivers of development.
Jiang Feng, head of China’s Mission to the AU, confirmed that implementation will start May 1, opening the Chinese market to high-quality African products. He added that the launch of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan this year has raised expectations for deeper China–Africa business cooperation.
The African Union Commission pledged to coordinate efforts to ensure the summit’s outcomes translate into concrete and measurable results.
