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China has announced the full implementation of a zero-tariff scheme for 53 African countries, including Nigeria, as part of the Changsha Declaration. The initiative aims to deepen economic ties under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.
The announcement was made by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a high-level meeting in Changsha between Chinese officials and African foreign ministers. The move follows commitments made during the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, which emphasized building a stronger China-Africa partnership amid global shifts.
According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, representatives from China, 53 African nations, and the African Union Commission reaffirmed their dedication to creating an “all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.”
The declaration also highlighted the rising influence of the Global South and emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation in promoting development, equitable global governance, and resisting growing trends of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion. The statement notably urged countries—particularly the United States—to resolve trade disputes through mutual respect and constructive dialogue.
China’s Foreign Ministry underscored the urgent economic and developmental challenges facing African nations, calling for increased international support and development assistance instead of cuts. This, it said, is essential to achieving poverty reduction and infrastructure growth across the continent.
As part of the zero-tariff initiative, China pledged to expand duty-free access to 100 percent of tariff lines for all African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. The only exception is Eswatini, which does not currently have official ties with Beijing. The move is expected to significantly boost African exports by providing broader access to the Chinese market.
The plan also includes enhanced market access for Africa’s least developed countries. It features simplified customs and inspection processes, increased technical training, and improved trade facilitation. China additionally reiterated its support for the African Union’s Agenda 2063, focusing on modernization, industrialization, and sustainable development.
In line with this, the Chinese government announced the launch of the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, which will deepen collaboration in green industries, e-commerce, science and technology, artificial intelligence, finance, and legal cooperation.
The statement further reaffirmed China’s commitment to fostering stronger people-to-people ties through cultural and educational exchanges, including the planned “2026 Year of People-to-People Exchanges.”
In September 2024, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu signed five memoranda of understanding during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Speaking at the Beijing summit, President Tinubu described the China-Africa relationship as a “true testament” to the power of mutual respect and cooperation.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, later confirmed that the agreements with China are currently in various stages of implementation.
