China to End Tariffs on 53 African Countries Starting May 1, 2026

"Starting May 1, 2026, China will fully implement a zero‑tariff policy on all imports from 53 African nations with which it maintains diplomatic ties", President Xi Jinping declared in a message to African Union President João Lourenço and AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on the occasion of the organization’s 39th summit.

Beyond tariff elimination, Beijing seeks to accelerate the conclusion of a broader economic framework and ease the entry of African exports into the Chinese market, notably by optimizing the "green channel" and other mechanisms designed to streamline import procedures, according to the message relayed by Chinese media.

In his message, President Xi Jinping praised Africa’s progress in regional integration and reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with the continent, against the backdrop of rising trade tensions and resurgent protectionism in the global arena.

The measure also aims to gradually rebalance trade—still structurally tilted in China’s favor—by boosting African exports, particularly those with higher added value, to the Chinese market.

According to China’s General Administration of Customs, Sino‑African trade reached $348.05 billion in 2025, up 17.7% year‑on‑year. Chinese exports rose 25.8% to $225.03 billion, while imports from Africa increased 5.4% to $123.02 billion.

Ce qu’il faut retenir de l’exonération chinoise appliquée aux exportations marocaines