African nations stand at a pivotal moment to deepen trade with China as a historic tariff-free arrangement looms, according to a leading Zambian economist. Experts say the continent must rapidly scale up industrial and agricultural output to fully benefit from China’s new zero-tariff policy set to take effect on May 1, 2026 – a move that could reshape Sino-Africa commerce.
Kelvin Chisanga, a social economist based in Lusaka, stated that Africa’s ample natural resources and farming potential present a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to expand exports to the world’s second-largest economy. China recently announced it will exempt 100% of tariff lines for imports from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties – a strategy that Beijing says will improve market access for African goods and accelerate industrial growth.
“This tariff relief positions Africa not just as a supplier of raw materials, but as an active participant in global value chains,” Chisanga said, highlighting how sectors such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing could see significant gains.
China is Africa’s largest external trade partner, with two-way trade reaching hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Yet African exports to China have historically been concentrated in raw commodities, lacking processed goods and high-value products – limiting industrial development. Analysts argue that zero-tariff access, if coupled with sustained investment in value addition and quality standards, could help rebalance this dynamic.
Recent reporting from across the continent underscores growing momentum: in Uganda, officials have urged local producers to adopt value-added processes in coffee, fish, and other agricultural exports to meet China’s demand and bolster competitiveness. Meanwhile in Mozambique, government officials publicly welcomed zero tariffs as a chance to expand export earnings and deepen commercial ties with Chinese markets.
The zero-tariff policy builds on existing cooperation frameworks between China and Zambia. Beyond trade, Chinese firms are involved in critical sectors such as energy and infrastructure. In 2025, Zambia’s Minister of Energy praised Chinese firms’ role in expanding solar energy development, an effort to address chronic power deficits.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) remains a key platform for steering this partnership. Past summits have produced agreements on infrastructure development, vocational training, and industrial diversification – setting the stage for broader economic engagement as trade barriers fall.
Experts warn that merely opening Chinese markets won’t automatically generate export surges: African producers must strengthen supply chains, adopt international standards, and invest in technology transfer. But if successful, the zero-tariff regime could serve as a catalyst for sustained economic transformation, particularly for export-driven manufacturing and agribusiness sectors across the continent.
