Somali National News Agency
So
Ar
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
    Local NewsShow More
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets Algerian Agriculture Minister to Boost Farming Cooperation
    August 11, 2025
    Galmudug Vice President Meets AU Peacekeeping Officials to Boost Security Cooperation
    August 11, 2025
    SNA Forces in Gedo repelled an early-morning attack by militias loyal to the court-wanted Ahmed Madoobe.
    August 11, 2025
    State Minister for Foreign Affairs Meets Chinese Ambassador to Boost Cooperation
    August 11, 2025
    Somalia, EU Discuss Enhanced Cooperation on Culture and Public Awareness
    August 11, 2025
  • World News
    World NewsShow More
    Somali-American Candidate Abdirizak Mohamed Ali Runs for Mayor of Hopkins, Minnesota
    August 8, 2025
    Israel kills aid worker in Gaza amid rising starvation deaths, US envoy meets with hostages’ families
    August 3, 2025
    Ghana Donates 40 Metric Tonnes of Cocoa to Palestine in Act of Solidarity
    August 2, 2025
    Seven people in critical condition after car ramming at LA nightclub
    July 20, 2025
    Tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, killing 37
    July 20, 2025
  • Articles
    ArticlesShow More
    Somali and Allied Forces Deal Major Blow to Al-Shabaab in Coordinated Offensive
    August 6, 2025
    Somalia’s Financial War Against Al-Shabaab: Key Achievements and Strategic Milestones (2022–2025)
    August 4, 2025
    H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali Dhaay: Driving Somalia’s Diplomatic Renewal and International Partnerships
    August 4, 2025
    National ID Enforcement in Somalia: A Strategic Plan to boost the Country’s Economy
    July 31, 2025
    The Return of the White Star: Somali Airlines Resumes Operations After Three Decades
    July 29, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Somalia Unveils the Blueprint for a Modern and Sustainable Mogadishu
    December 21, 2024
    Djibouti Launches $57.4 Million Youth Entrepreneurship Project to Combat Climate Change
    November 25, 2024
    FM meets Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia
    October 28, 2024
    President Hassan Sheikh Inaugurates New LPG Storage Center in Mogadishu
    May 12, 2024
    Collaboration of ICT transformation for digital Infrastructure
    October 24, 2023
  • Sports
    SportsShow More
    Mogadishu Stadium to Host Star-Studded Match Featuring Somali Legends and International Football Icons
    May 27, 2025
    Arsenal held at Brighton while Man City bounce-back continues
    January 5, 2025
    Galmudug wins the Inter-State Football Tournament
    January 29, 2024
    Somalia set for two int’l friendlies ahead of WC qualifier clashes against Algeria and Uganda
    October 10, 2023
    Chicago woman, 104, skydives from plane, aiming for record as the world’s oldest skydiver
    October 3, 2023
  • Tenders
    TendersShow More
Reading: China Approves Zero-Tariff Treatment for 33 African Countries
Share
Font ResizerAa
Somali National News AgencySomali National News Agency
  • SOMALI
  • ARABIC
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
Follow US
©2023 || All rights reserved SONNA
Somali National News Agency > Blog > Articles > China Approves Zero-Tariff Treatment for 33 African Countries
Articles

China Approves Zero-Tariff Treatment for 33 African Countries

By Abdullahi Hussein
Last updated: December 9, 2024
6 Min Read
Share

China-Africa Trade Revolution: Unlocking Opportunities Through Zero-Tariff Policies

By: Mr. Dahir Abdullahi Mohamed (OK)

Overview

Many African countries, constrained by their natural resources and production capabilities, rely heavily on trade to meet the needs of their populations. However, global trade is often influenced by policies, geopolitics, and economic competition, which can create tensions between trading partners. One common approach to addressing these disagreements is the imposition of tariffs. A tariff is a tax levied by a country on imported goods and services to influence trade, generate revenue, or protect domestic industries.

China, since initiating its economic reforms in 1978, has experienced remarkable growth, averaging over 9% annual GDP growth. This transformation has lifted nearly 800 million people out of poverty and significantly improved access to healthcare, education, and other essential services. Today, China is an upper-middle-income nation, but it continues to face challenges such as economic and environmental imbalances. Addressing these issues requires a shift toward service-based industries, increased consumption, and reduced carbon emissions.

China’s involvement in global environmental and developmental issues is pivotal. While not the primary contributor to historical carbon emissions, China is currently responsible for nearly one-third of global annual CO2 emissions. Despite these challenges, China’s economy grew by 5.0% in the first half of 2024, driven by consumer spending, exports, and infrastructure investments.

China’s Zero-Tariff Initiative

At the 7th China International Import Expo and the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing, China announced the extension of zero-tariff treatment to products from 33 African countries. This initiative seeks to bolster industrial cooperation, facilitate trade, and enhance China-Africa relations.

Ye Hailin, dean of the China-Africa Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, emphasized that the removal of tariffs is designed to catalyze industrialization and economic growth in Africa. The Ministry of Commerce reported that China-Africa trade reached a historic $282 billion in 2023, a 1.5% increase from the previous year.

Key Benefits of Zero-Tariff Treatment

1. Optimizing Trade Relations

  • The elimination of tariffs reduces costs for African exporters, allowing them to compete more effectively in the Chinese market.
  • Improved infrastructure, governance, productivity, and access to finance are necessary to optimize trade opportunities for African countries.
  • Increased foreign investment can further enhance Africa’s competitive edge in global markets.

2. Expanding African Export Channels

  • The zero-tariff policy covers 47 tariff lines and 140 products, including rice, wheat, sugar, cotton, soybean oil, and wood products.
  • The initiative allows African exporters to reach China’s vast market, boosting revenue and driving economic growth.
  • The establishment of a “green channel” facilitates the export of high-quality African agricultural products to China.

3. Fostering a Balanced Trading Environment

  • China’s zero-tariff policy is a significant gesture of South-South cooperation, supporting development priorities across the Global South.
  • Infrastructure connectivity projects, logistics collaborations, and digital trade agreements strengthen trade frameworks.

4. Advancing Agricultural Cooperation and Technology Transfer

  • China supports Africa’s agricultural modernization by sharing technology and building localized production facilities for fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural tools.
  • Joint efforts include satellite remote sensing centers, meteorological stations, and eco-friendly agricultural initiatives.
  • E-commerce platforms and digital cooperation further enhance trade in African cash crops.

5. Promoting Cultural and Think Tank Exchanges

  • Deepening cultural exchanges enhances mutual understanding between China and Africa, fostering closer ties.
  • Think tanks play a pivotal role in sharing knowledge, conducting joint research, and supporting practical cooperation initiatives.

6. Driving Industrialization and Green Development

  • China and Africa collaborate on projects promoting green energy, disaster prevention, and biodiversity conservation.
  • Industrial cooperation extends to sectors such as smart cities, 5G networks, and digital trade.

Case Study: Yiwu as a Trade Hub for African Entrepreneurs

Yiwu, China’s largest commodities market, has become a key destination for African entrepreneurs. Senegalese businessman Diouf Amassamba exemplifies the success of Africans in Yiwu, managing a thriving business that supplies kitchen hardware and furniture to Africa. Amassamba also serves as the general secretary of Yiwu’s African community, which supports over 4,000 African traders.

China-Somalia Strategic Partnership

During the 2024 FOCAC Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced a strategic partnership between the two nations. This partnership underscores China’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s sovereignty, development, and peacebuilding efforts.

Conclusion

China’s zero-tariff treatment for 33 African countries marks a significant step toward strengthening China-Africa economic ties. By eliminating barriers to trade, this initiative enhances African exporters’ competitiveness in the Chinese market, reduces costs, and promotes industrialization and sustainable development. As China continues to collaborate with Africa on agricultural modernization, digital trade, and green energy projects, this partnership is poised to create a more balanced and mutually beneficial global trading environment.

Author:

Mr. Dahir Abdullahi Mohamed (OK)

Director, Center for Research & Studies

Imam Shafi’i University

Economist specializing in East African trade and development

Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

MORE NEWS

Official Reopening of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Archives

CultureEducationLocal News
November 23, 2024

Kenya’s small farmers find respite in avocados amid changing climate

NAIROBI(SONNA) As crop diseases and pests rise in Kenya amid a rapidly changing climate that…

March 11, 2023

Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets Algerian Agriculture Minister to Boost Farming Cooperation

Algiers, (SONNA) — The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Mr. Abdisalam Abdi…

August 11, 2025

Nimcaan Hilaac appointed to lead Waberi National Band

Mogadishu (SONNA)-Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Mohamed…

March 3, 2020

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

National ID Enforcement in Somalia: A Strategic Plan to boost the Country’s Economy

Since the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, the nation has endured persistent instability that severely undermined the capacity…

Articles
July 31, 2025

The Harmful Impact of Toy Guns: A Crisis that Requires Urgent Attention in Somalia

The use of toy guns has been a hotly debated topic for years, with many arguing that it contributes to…

Articles
April 21, 2023

Strengthening Bonds: My Journey and Reflections at the China-Africa Youth Festival in China

I landed in Beijing on May 18, I had the privilege of representing Somalia at the China-Africa Youth Festival, an…

Articles
June 8, 2024

Jubbaland Must Rise: The Call for People’s Participation in the Fight Against Al-Shabaab

Somalia has been grappling with terrorism for a long time and Al-Shabaab has been one of the most dangerous terrorist…

Articles
March 11, 2023

Somali National News Agency established in 1964. It is one of the main pillars of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
  • SNTV
  • RADIO MOGADISHU
  • DALKA JOURNAL
  • TOURISM DEPARTMENT

Follow US: 

  • MoICT
  • VILLA SOMALIA
  • OPM SOMALIA

All rights reserved SONNA

©2023

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?