Africa Now Has Duty-Free Access to the China Market, Now What?

Aerial photo shows the container terminal of Qingdao Port in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province, 5 May, 2025. (Photo by stringer / IC photo / Imaginechina via AFP)

Last year, in January, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni called on China to do more to open its vast market to African goods by removing trade tariffs for the entire continent.

This week, Museveni got what he asked for when China removed all import duties for goods coming from 53 African countries (not Eswatini, which still maintains ties with Taiwan), prompting the question of what the Ugandan leader and his counterparts will do to take advantage of this new privilege. 

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Eric Olander

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
3
Chinese Cargo Planes Secretly Ferrying Supplies to Iran, Claim Online Sleuths
4
Indonesia Goes Nuclear, Taps China and Russia for Modular Reactors
5
Thailand in Last-Minute U.S. Talks as 36% Tariff Looms
6 Trump’s Contradictory Iran Strategy Leaves U.S. Weaker After War’s End, Says Chinese Commentator

You Might Like

In a Swipe at the U.S., China Removes Tariffs for Nearly Every African Country

China will remove all trade tariffs on imported goods from 53 African countries in a move that starkly contrasts with U.S. President Donald Trump’s pro-tariff agenda. Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced the policy ...

South Africa Should be Wary of China’s Zero-Tariff Offer, Warns Top Agricultural Expert

South African farmers are among those who stand to benefit the most from China’s new proposal to remove tariffs on exports from 53 African countries. China sources just 0.4% of its agriculture from ...

Q&A: Chinese, and Nigerian Researchers Collaborate on Super Sub-Saharan Africa Electricity System

China's strategic investments through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) showcase its aspiration to play a role in the global energy infrastructure.

WEEK IN REVIEW: China Signs Deal to Revamp TAZARA Railway

China and the Philippines accused each other of deliberately ramming their coast guard ships near the disputed Sabina Shoal on Saturday. A China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesperson said the Philippines ship “deliberately collided with” a ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP