China's zero-tariff treatment to boost Africa's industrialization, value-chain integration, analysts say

Analysts have welcomed China's zero-tariff treatment with the 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, highlighting its importance in promoting the continent's industrial development and participation in global value chains.

Effective from 1st May zero-tariff treatmentWith an improved “green channel” for African agricultural exports, the agreement reaffirms China's commitment to high-level opening-up and is expected to facilitate deeper China-Africa cooperation in trade and investment.

Experts said the zero-tariff measure comes at a critical moment as many African economies seek to move away from reliance on primary commodity exports toward value-added production and diversify trade structures.

“The policy directly supports Africa industrialization “By reducing barriers to access, not just raw materials, but semi-processed and finished goods,” said Leseko Makhetha, head of the economics department at the National University of Lesotho.

“It encourages local industries to increase production, promote value-added processing and create jobs in various sectors,” he said. He said zero-tariff treatment is in line with Africa's goal of moving up value chains.

South African political analyst Sandile Tswana highlighted greater opportunities arising from wider access to the Chinese market and described the measure as “a unique opportunity” for African exporters.

“This initiative is in line with the vision of (Agenda) 2063 as well as the efforts of regional bodies such as the Southern African Development Community to integrate and diversify their economies,” he said, stressing that the opportunity China has opened for African countries is significant.

Swana also added African Countries still need to undertake “preparatory technical work” to strengthen their manufacturing capacity and production readiness so that they can safely integrate into China's supply chains and fully benefit from the new tariff-free access.

Echoing SWANA, Tabani Moyo, a research fellow at the Graduate School of Business and Leadership at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said Africa should take advantage of the opportunity presented by China's huge consumer market.

“African products should take advantage of this opportunity to encourage trade between their countries and China, given China's huge size in terms of consumption and extensive industries in China,” he said.

Moyo said that as African countries prioritize industrialization and value-added production, China's zero-tariff treatment helps foster more predictable and stable supply-chain partnerships in an increasingly uncertain global situation. Economic Environment

Mikatekiso Kubayi, senior researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue, an independent foreign policy think tank based in South Africa, said the policy “has a multiplier effect” and “presents an opportunity for industrialization and reinvestment.”

Kubayi said increased production coupled with export opportunities will boost employment and benefit local businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.

Professor Mamo Muchi of the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa, said: “China is reducing tariffs, which supports African economies and allows African exports to come into China, and that strengthens Africa-China relations.”