South Africa and China Sign Agreement to Expand Trade

 Further Africa published on 30 June 2026 an article titled "South Africa and China Sign Rules Pact to Unlock Zero-Tariff Trade Opportunities."

South Africa and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at converting China's zero-tariff treatment for African exports into practical commercial opportunities for South African businesses.  Because tariff preferences alone do not guarantee market access, the MOU deals with technical regulations, standards, product certification, inspection procedures, and conformity assessment systems.  The agreement signals a broader strategic deepening of South Africa-China trade.

The Promise and Disappointment of China's Zero Tariff Policy for Africa

 The Daily Maverick published on 10 June 2026 an article titled "China's Zero-Tariff 'Gift' to Africa Could Be a Trojan Horse in Disguise" by William Gumede, University of Witwatersrand.  

China's new zero tariffs for African countries offer an opportunity to industrialize but it will only happen if they leverage China to build manufacturing capacity in Africa, transfer technology and skills, add value to raw materials, and secure Chinese financing for industry relevant infrastructure.  

Likely Impact of China's Zero Tariff Policy on African Imports (in French)

 GeopoWeb posted on 18 May 2026 an analysis titled "Africa, China, and Zero Tariffs: A Diplomatic Gesture Put to the Test by the Data" by Thierry Pairault.  

Effective on May 1, China began a policy of zero tariffs on imports from all African countries except Eswatini, which recognizes Taiwan.  Six African countries (South Africa, DRC, Angola, Guinea, Zambia, and Congo Brazzaville) now supply three quarters of China's imports from Africa.  Most of these imports consist of minerals, metals, and crude oil, which already enter China duty free.

A modest quantity of African agricultural products will benefit from the zero-tariff policy.  Landlocked African countries, which tend to be among the poorest, will receive little or no benefit from the zero-tariff policy because of transportation constraints.  In addition, non-tariff barriers such as sanitary standards remain in effect.  Thierry identifies several other barriers to increased African exports to China that will limit the impact of the zero-tariff policy.  He also compares the impact of EU and Chinese imports from Africa.

Thierry concludes the zero-tariff policy has less to do with rebalancing trade between China and Africa than it is an effective diplomatic tool at little cost to China but also limited in its economic impact.  

The Plusses and Minuses for Africa of China's New Zero Tariff Policy

 The Conversation published on 12 March 2026 a commentary titled "China's New Tariff-free Regime for Africa: The Potential Upside and Downside" by Lauren Johnston, University of Sydney.

When China's zero-tariff policy for Africa kicks in on 1 May, the author suggests there will be two major likely outcomes.  On the positive side, zero tariffs could provide incentives for cross-country export cooperation within Africa.  On the negative, it risks creating conditions in which Africa's strong economies such as South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya capture the most gain at the expense of weaker economies.