China’s zero tariff on exports for Africa, which commenced two weeks ago, has been lauded as an initiative that would encourage local production and help reposition Africa at the global market.
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Speaking at Lagos Forum, themed, ‘The Successful Practice of Principles of Sincerity, Real Results, Amity, and Good Faith in Africa,’ organised by the Consulate-General of People’s Republic of China in Lagos on Friday, Research Director (Africa), Zhejiang Normal University, China, Ikenna Emewu, noted that Africa exports only four per cent in the global market.
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According to him, between Nigeria and China, the percentage of imbalance was 89.5 in 2023.

“While China exported about $21 billion worth of goods to Nigeria, our response was $2.37 billion.

“With Africa, it was 64.5 per cent in favour of China. China exported $348 billion goods to Africa, and the continent responded with $123.02 billion goods to China,” he added.
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Emewu said that a nation cannot get richer until it is a major trader, which lies on its available commodities for exchange.

“The zero tariff gives Africa a leverage to grow its economy as it’s a policy targeted at bridging the trade balance gap between China and Africa.‎ China on the other hand can benefit by gaining more access and outsourcing some production to Africa at a reduced cost.,” he explained.
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Emewu, who is also the Editor-in-Chief, Africa China Economy Magazine, said this development has the potential to elevate currency value of nations as there is already an existing agreement between the People’s Bank of China and Ecobank for people to transact using their local currency.
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He said China has remained a strong ally of Africa through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and its shareholding in the African Development Bank, adding that Africa’s trade with China has continued to grow, recording a 5.4 per cent increase in 2025, while China-Africa trade growth stood at 25.8 per cent.

Emewu said the new Chinese zero-tariff policy is expected to further accelerate Africa’s exports to China, stressing that African countries must strengthen local production to fully benefit from the opportunity.
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He said Chinese manufacturing investments in Africa have expanded steadily over the past 15 years, contributing about 12 per cent of the continent’s manufacturing GDP and 9.5 per cent of Nigeria’s.

He explained that Chinese firms were attracted to Africa because of overcapacity at home and the need to build competitive production bases abroad, create jobs and increase local consumption.

He added that the policy covers both raw materials and finished products, including textiles, processed leather, canned seafood, fruit juice and construction materials, giving African countries the chance to add value locally before exporting to China.
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Emewu said the new trade regime would create jobs across Africa as demand for production and export activities rises. He also pointed to recent financial agreements aimed at strengthening Nigeria-China trade, including Stanbic IBTC Bank’s loan deal with the China Development Bank and Ecobank’s currency swap agreement with the People’s Bank of China. ‎
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Consul General of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, said the principles of China’s African policy showcases the sincerity surrounding China’s relations with Africa.
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She stated that the zero tariff policy is a major step of how China upholds the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests with Africa.
‎ According to her, over the past seven decades, China-Africa friendship has transcended time and space, with its spirit passed down from generation to generation.

“Since the dawn of the new era, under the joint vision and leadership of President Xi Jinping and African leaders, China-Africa relations have achieved leapfrog development,” she noted.
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She said President Xi Jinping’s Global Development Initiative places development and people at the centre of China’s cooperation with Africa, while promoting South-South cooperation and high-quality Belt and Road projects.

She said the Global Security Initiative encourages countries to resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means, adding that China remains committed to supporting Africa’s peace and security efforts and strengthening the China-Africa security partnership.
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Yuqing said the China-Africa cooperation has continued to produce visible results in Nigeria, citing the newly completed ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja, the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Lagos Blue Line Rail project.

She added that China had also supported humanitarian programmes in Nigeria, including cataract surgeries for nearly 500 patients and food support for more than 1,000 low-income households through joint charity initiatives.

Lecturer, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, Dr. Adetoro Banwo, said China’s sincerity towards Africa could be seen in its support for governance, healthcare and sustainable development across the continent.

According to him, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Action Plan for 2025-2027 focused on programmes covering medical support, trade, poverty reduction, digital innovation, green development and capacity building.

Banwo said China’s “real results” were visible in infrastructure projects across Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative. He cited the TAZARA railway linking Zambia and Tanzania as one of the continent’s most significant projects, while noting that railway projects in Nigeria, including the Abuja-Kaduna line, had improved transportation and opened up communities for economic growth.

On the principle of good faith, Banwo said China had supported Africa in peacekeeping, conflict resolution and economic development. He noted that China had contributed to United Nations peacekeeping operations in South Sudan and supported mediation efforts in the Horn of Africa.