Zero-tariff policy opens new opportunities for Africa

Editor's Note: China has expanded its zero-tariff policy to include all the 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. The Department of African Affairs of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Research Center on Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity co-hosted a seminar in Beijing last month. The seminar was attended by government officials from China and African countries as well as experts. Below are excerpts of speeches of four of the participants, as reported by China Daily's Wang Qingyun.

Industrial upgrade necessary to reap full benefits

By Leah Beryl Rosebellah Aywah

China's decision to extend zero-tariff treatment to all eligible African countries is both historic and strategic.

It signals a strong commitment to deepening China-Africa economic cooperation and advancing a more inclusive framework for South-South trade. However, the significance of this move lies not just in tariff elimination, but in what it makes possible.

For years, African exports have remained largely restricted to raw materials rather than processed goods. Now the expansion of the zero-tariff treatment to all tariff lines offers an opportunity to change this pattern.

Processed and semi-processed African goods can now enter the Chinese market under the same preferential conditions as raw materials, and therefore create an incentive for African countries to move further up the value chain.

For instance, those exporting raw cotton can now explore textiles and apparel manufacturing.

The real question for African economies is not only whether we can export more, but whether we can export with greater value added and higher productivity.

Digital trade and e-commerce also present a major opportunity. China hosts one of the most important and dynamic e-commerce ecosystems, transforming how products reach consumers.

For African businesses, especially medium, small and micro enterprises as well as those headed by women and youth entrepreneurs, zero-tariff access allows direct entry into the Chinese market through digital platforms.

An African coffee producer, cosmetic brand, or handicraft enterprise can now access this market without relying solely on traditional distribution chains.

This is particularly important because digital trade lowers market entry barriers for smaller enterprises and creates opportunities for branding, niche marketing and innovation.

However, to fully benefit from this opportunity, African countries will need stronger digital infrastructure, export-readiness programs, payment systems, logistics support and greater engagement with Chinese online marketplaces.

Agriculture is a mainstay for many African economies. Most African exports to China are agricultural products such as coffee, tea, avocados, nuts, spices, flowers, seafood and specialty goods, which are increasingly finding new markets in China.

Although the zero-tariff policy enhances competitiveness, market access alone is not sufficient. Long-term success depends on quality assurance systems, sanitary and phytosanitary compliance, traceability mechanisms, cold chain logistics, and investment in storage and transport infrastructure.

Zero-tariff access has important implications for investment flows and industrial cooperation. When manufacturers realize that products made in Africa can enter duty-free, it creates an incentive for investment in production facilities, industrial parks, logistics systems and export-oriented manufacturing.

China's zero-tariff initiative provides African countries with an unprecedented opportunity to expand exports and deepen participation in global trade.

But tariffs are only one component of competitiveness. The long-term gains from this policy will depend on how effectively we strengthen production capacity, industrialization, standard systems, logistics and the digital trade infrastructure.

The greatest opportunity lies not just in increasing trade volumes but in transforming the structure of trade itself — from dependence on raw commodity exports toward diversified, value-added and technology-driven trade.

The author is the chief state counsel at the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice of Kenya. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.