Online Reporter
Tichaona Zindoga
China’s zero-tariff policy for Africa, which took effect on May 1st 2026, marks a historic milestone, forging closer bonds of friendship, modernisation and development between China and the African continent. This policy is not only a concrete manifestation of China’s long-term commitment to supporting developing countries, but also a vital step to deepen China-Africa economic and trade co-operation in the context of profound global changes.
Fifty-three countries in Africa, including Zimbabwe, enjoy diplomatic relations with China, and this development means that African countries can now access the vast Chinese market on a competitive basis with preferential treatment. This preferential treatment stems from the sound and mutually supportive relations between China and Africa, which will enable African countries not just to access the Chinese market, but also to boost production and quality by leveraging value chain development and increasing revenues.
Politically, this move continues China’s long-standing support for developing countries over the past 60 years. It also reflects the two sides’ solidarity amid profound changes unseen in a century, as global trade and economic integration face growing challenges. Unlike some countries that attach political conditions to trade preferences for Africa, China’s zero-tariff policy covers all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, without any additional strings attached, fully demonstrating its sincerity in promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.
China never offers empty promises for partnerships; it delivers concrete actions. The implementation of the zero-tariff scheme is a bold new step that consolidates China’s ties with African countries at both bilateral and multilateral levels, with Focac serving as the core co-operation framework. This policy is not an isolated measure but part of China’s long-term strategy to deepen China-Africa co-operation and support Africa’s development.
What’s in it for us?
The distinctive feature of Chinese co-operation in Africa is that it operates on both a strong philosophical grounding and a pragmatic, technical basis. China’s long-standing philosophy of co-operation with Africa stands on key pillars — sincerity, real results, amity, good faith, mutual benefit, and equity — and China has consistently adhered to these principles. Its partnership with Africa is also predictable due to its formal and clear frameworks, of which the zero-tariff policy is an important part.
Zimbabweans must not be left behind, considering that China is already among its top trading partners. Over the years, bilateral trade between Zimbabwe and China has been on the rise, hitting new record highs annually, and Zimbabwe has maintained a positive trade balance with China.
This positive trend is not only attributed to China’s market opening-up and the zero-tariff policy, but also to Zimbabwe’s own advantages, such as its abundant natural resources and high-quality agricultural products, as well as the long-term co-operation foundation built between the two countries.
According to goods trade statistics from China Customs, bilateral trade between China and Zimbabwe reached approximately US$4,4 billion in 2025 — a year-on-year increase of 15,2 percent and a record high. Zimbabwe exported about US$2,57 billion worth of goods to China and imported around US$1,83 billion, yielding a trade surplus of roughly US$0,74 billion for Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s exports to China mainly include processed minerals, tobacco, and horticultural products (citrus, avocados, macadamia nuts, blueberries, and flowers).
The imperative is to increase these export volumes — objectively speaking, the current volume is far too low given Zimbabwe’s immense productive capacity. However, it is important to recognise that unlocking the policy’s full potential will not happen overnight. Zimbabwe needs to address practical challenges such as aligning product quality with Chinese standards, improving logistics efficiency, and alleviating the shortage of technical talents, while also competing with similar global products.
In an interview, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Zhou Ding, clarified how this new development will benefit both countries.
“First, the policy will cut the cost of Zimbabwean exports to China, boosting their competitiveness and market access,” explains Mr Zhou. “Tariff elimination will make Zimbabwean goods more price-competitive, driving up export volumes, creating jobs and increasing foreign exchange earnings.”
“Second, the policy will promote value addition and industrial upgrading. By attracting more domestic and global investment, Zimbabwe can process products locally before export, moving up the value chain, while facilitating technology transfer and skills development. For instance, Kenya has significantly increased its exports of flowers and tea to China with the help of Chinese tariff preferences, driving the development of local processing industries and creating a large number of jobs — an experience that Zimbabwe can learn from.”
“Third, the policy will support export diversification and enhance economic resilience, encouraging the development of processed agricultural products and industrial goods and creating new export drivers for Zimbabwe. It will also promote China-Zimbabwe co-operation in services trade, digital trade, green industries and sustainable development, strengthening Zimbabwe’s independent development capacity and accelerating its modernisation.”
Modernisation – A shared goal
Modernisation is a value that China has prioritised and brought to the fore in its interaction with Africa, emphasising how working together can entrench it for mutual benefit. As an important concrete measure of China-Africa economic and trade co-operation, the zero-tariff policy will gradually consolidate China-Africa economic mutual trust, thereby laying a solid economic foundation for jointly advancing modernisation and building a community with a shared future.
During the last Focac Summit in September 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised how the two countries should work together to achieve modernisation.
“China and Africa’s joint pursuit of modernisation will set off a wave of modernisation in the Global South, and open a new chapter in our drive for a community with a shared future for mankind,” President Xi said.
He explained that, among other precepts, “Without our (China-Africa) modernisation, there will be no global modernisation. In the next three years, China will work with Africa to take the following ten partnership actions for modernisation to deepen China-Africa co-operation and spearhead the Global South modernisation.”
He concluded: “On the path to modernisation, no one, and no country, should be left behind.
“Let us rally the more than 2,8 billion Chinese and African people into a powerful force on our shared path toward modernisation, promote modernisation of the Global South with China-Africa modernisation, and write a new magnificent chapter of development in human history.”
In practical terms, the new zero-tariff policy will see China exchanging knowledge with African countries, which will aid in raising standards in Africa’s value chains and products.
According to Chinese authorities, China will also strengthen skills and technical training to help African countries meet China’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and promote high‑quality African products through e‑commerce platforms, the China International Import Expo and Focac events.
Through a closer partnership, China will support Africa’s industrialisation and economic diversification, delivering greater economic benefits.
On April 28, 2026, China’s Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council explained that China aimed to ensure stable benefits for African countries and provide long-term, stable and predictable institutional safeguards for deepening China-Africa economic and trade relations, which is in itself “a concrete step demonstrating China’s unwavering commitment to expanding high-standard opening up and its initiative to open wider”.
The zero-tariff regime also dovetails with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which many countries — including Zimbabwe — have recognised as a key framework for the development of the world economy through China’s economic leadership.
l Tichaona Zindoga is a commentator on global and local affairs and Director of Ruzivo Media & Resource Centre
