Bilateral trade between China and Africa surged to $222.05 billion in the first eight months of 2025, marking a 15.4% year-on-year increase, according to China’s General Administration of Customs.
The growth was driven primarily by a sharp rise in Chinese exports to Africa, which jumped 24.7% to $140.79 billion.
In contrast, Chinese imports from Africa rose just 2.3% to $81.25 billion, widening the continent’s trade deficit with China to $59.55 billion; nearly matching the $61.93 billion recorded for all of 2024.
“China has recently announced a significant expansion of market access for 53 African nations, eliminating tariffs on all imports,” writes Linda Calabrese, Senior Research Fellow at ODI. “This sweeping move, excluding only eSwatini due to its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, marks a pivotal development in China-Africa trade relations.”
Tariff-Free Access: From LDCs to All African Nations
The zero-tariff policy was unveiled during a follow-up to the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit. Previously, China had granted duty-free access to 97–98% of tariff lines for 33 Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Now, all African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing—except eSwatini—will benefit from full tariff elimination.
This strategic shift responds directly to calls from African leaders, including South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, to redress trade imbalances and boost African exports.
“China is positioning itself as a reliable and equitable partner for the Global South,” Calabrese added. “Unlike the EU’s EPAs or the US’s AGOA, China’s offer is broader and less conditional.”
Trade Imbalance Persists
Africa’s exports to China remain dominated by raw materials such as crude oil, copper, cobalt, and iron ore. Meanwhile, Chinese exports to Africa include high-value manufactured goods—machinery, electronics, and solar equipment.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, Africa imported 15,032 megawatts of Chinese solar panels, up 60% from the previous year. This underscores China’s role as Africa’s leading supplier of green technologies.
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Beyond Tariffs: Tackling Non-Tariff Barriers
While tariff removal is a major step, experts warn it won’t be transformative without addressing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), logistics, regulatory hurdles, and foreign exchange controls that complicate African exports.
China has introduced trade facilitation measures, including:
- “Green lanes” for agricultural exports
- A China-Africa trade cooperation fund
- Specialised financial products for African enterprises
“The real gains for African economies hinge on tackling NTBs,” said Max Mendez-Parra, Senior Trade Policy Analyst. “China’s tariff elimination is worth $1.4 billion in foregone revenue, but it’s only part of the solution.”
Strategic Implications
China’s unilateral offer contrasts with Western trade frameworks. The EU’s “Everything But Arms” scheme applies only to LDCs, while EPAs require complex negotiations. AGOA, though widely used, remains vulnerable to political conditions and income thresholds.
In the current geopolitical climate, China’s move is unlikely to be reversed, reinforcing its soft power and deepening its economic ties with Africa.
China-Africa Trade Snapshot (Jan–Aug 2025)
- Total Trade: $222.05 billion
- Chinese Exports to Africa: $140.79 billion (+24.7%)
- Chinese Imports from Africa: $81.25 billion (+2.3%)
- Africa’s Trade Deficit: $59.55 billion
