Zero tariffs on Africa open new horizons for Ningbo's foreign trade

South African grapefruits are imported by a food company in Ningbo. [Photo by Qian Xiao/Yongpai App]

As China and Africa mark 70 years of diplomatic ties, a landmark policy is reshaping trade dynamics. Starting May 1, China has granted zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, covering 100 percent of taxable products.

With this move, China becomes the first major economy to offer such comprehensive, unilateral tariff-free access to all its African partners, including the least developed countries.

For Ningbo, a major hub of the country's export-oriented economy, Africa represents a fast-growing emerging market. In the first quarter alone, the city's trade with Africa reached 23.9 billion yuan ($3.50 billion), up 20.1 percent year-on-year.

The most immediate impact is clear: lower costs. Importers of African goods — from agricultural products like South African grapefruit to industrial materials such as brass ingots — are seeing substantial tariff savings. For some firms, this translates into millions of yuan annually, freeing up capital for innovation, production upgrades, and expanded sourcing.

Beyond cost reductions, the policy is driving deeper integration between trade and investment. Ningbo companies are increasingly exploring opportunities in Africa's infrastructure, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors. As local demand grows — from construction materials to consumer goods, businesses are moving closer to the source by investing in factories and building localized supply chains.

More broadly, the zero-tariff policy signals a shift toward shared development. By boosting African exports and encouraging Chinese investment, it supports job creation, industrialization, and long-term economic resilience, turning trade into a bridge for mutual growth and modernization.