Following a meeting by leaders from China and Africa at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on 15 September 2024, China announced it will eliminate import duties on products from the 33 least developed African countries, beginning 1 December 2024.

China has decided to grant zero-tariff treatment to 100%  of tariff items of products from all least-developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries.

China has firmly pursued an open policy, safeguards the interests of developing countries, and takes the lead in opening its doors to Africa and other developing countries.  It is committed to further reducing tariffs, providing exemptions, and implementing trade facilitation policies to open its doors even wider.

China-Africa economic and trade cooperation is a crucial foundation of their collaboration, yielding significant recent results and fostering joint modernisation efforts. As Africa’s largest bilateral investment and trade partner, China has continuously opened up its market.

Since 2005, China has begun to implement duty-free treatment for some imported goods from the least developed countries in Africa. This time, providing zero-tariff treatment for 100% of tariff items to least developed countries, including African countries, will better expand Africa’s export channels, optimise trade and enable Africa’s advantageous products to directly reach 1.4 billion Chinese consumers.