President Xi Jinping says China will remove tariffs on imports from almost all African countries starting May 1, according to state media.
Beijing already offers zero tariffs to 33 African nations. Under the expanded plan, the policy will now apply to all 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic ties with China.
The only exception is Eswatini, which has diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of Beijing.
China, Africa’s largest trading partner and a key infrastructure investor through its Belt and Road Initiative, says the tariff removal is designed to open new opportunities for economic growth and development.
The announcement came as African leaders gathered in African Union meetings in Ethiopia, against the backdrop of changing global trade dynamics.
