China has officially implemented a two-year tariff-free trade policy for Africa's largest economies, including South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, and Kenya. This initiative, effective from Friday, covers the 20 biggest economies in Africa and aims to strengthen economic ties amid rising global trade tensions. Previously, tariffs were removed for 33 lower-income African nations, making a total of 53 out of 54 African countries eligible for this policy, with Eswatini being the only exception due to its diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

The policy is expected to significantly benefit African agricultural exports, particularly cocoa from Ivory Coast and Ghana, coffee and avocados from Kenya, and citrus fruits and wine from South Africa. These products previously faced tariffs ranging from 8 to 30 percent. The first shipment under this new policy, consisting of 24 metric tonnes of apples from South Africa, successfully cleared customs in Shenzhen, China.

This move comes as African economies seek to diversify their export markets following tariff measures introduced by the Trump administration in the United States, which imposed reciprocal tariffs reaching 30 percent on some South African goods. While the US Supreme Court later struck down broader tariff measures as unconstitutional, temporary import taxes were subsequently introduced.

Despite being Africa's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $348 billion in 2025, the trade relationship remains heavily imbalanced. Chinese exports to Africa rose by 25 percent to $225 billion last year, while imports from Africa increased by only 5 percent to $123 billion, widening the trade deficit. Analysts suggest that while the new policy may improve access for African agricultural exports, it may not fundamentally change the existing trade imbalance.