China has announced a significant expansion of its economic and diplomatic ties with Africa, introducing a new economic package that includes full zero-tariff access for 100% of African imports, effective from 1 May. The move comes amid increasing trade tensions between the US and African nations, where the Trump administration has imposed heavy tariffs on African exports, primarily raw materials.

Zero-Tariff Access and People-to-People Exchanges

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the initiative as part of the “China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges,” a year-long series of events marking 70 years of China-Africa friendship. Wang emphasized that the relationship has “stood the test of changing international circumstances” and has “strong vitality.”

“We will host multiple African leaders to strengthen mutual support as all-weather partners and write a new chapter of our shared journey,” Wang said, adding that China is removing tariffs completely to “boost trade, multiply benefits for the people and help Africa access the enormous opportunities of the Chinese market.”

According to the Chinese government, nearly 600 events will be held under the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. These events aim to support cultural, educational, and scientific cooperation between the two regions.

Belt and Road Initiative’s Role in Africa

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, has been a cornerstone of its engagement with Africa. The initiative involves over 53 African countries in multibillion-rand infrastructure projects, including railways, roads, ports, and energy facilities, designed to enhance connectivity and boost trade.

These projects have exceeded 12,000km of transport infrastructure, supporting job creation, industrialisation, and digital development across the continent. The BRI has also served as an alternative to Western-led development models, offering African nations infrastructure funding without political conditionalities.

“The Chinese win-win approach to investments in Africa has helped significantly to rebuild most essential transport, administrative, energy and communication infrastructures on the continent,” said André Thomashausen, professor emeritus at the University of South Africa. “Unlike the European Union and the USA, China does not tie investments to political conditionalities. This way friendly relations have been able to grow steadily.”

Historical Foundations and Institutional Frameworks

The enduring nature of the China-Africa relationship has its roots in the anti-colonial struggles of the 1950s and 1960s, when China provided diplomatic and material support to African liberation movements. This historical bond has evolved into a structured partnership through institutions like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac), established in 2000.

David Monyae, an associate professor of political science at the University of Johannesburg, noted that Focac has provided a consistent institutional framework for cooperation, covering infrastructure development, trade, industrialisation, public health, and capacity-building. “Through Focac, China and African countries have developed structured frameworks for cooperation,” he said.

Monyae also highlighted that China’s engagement with Africa is rooted in the principle of South-South cooperation, emphasizing partnership among developing countries with shared historical experiences of colonialism and underdevelopment. “This has allowed African leaders to focus on development and infrastructure, areas they have long identified as critical for economic transformation,” he added.

The Middle East crisis has underscored the need for African nations to diversify their international partnerships. “For many countries in Africa, the crisis highlights the risks associated with over-dependence on any single global power or geopolitical bloc,” Monyae said. “In this context, Africa’s partnerships with countries such as China can be understood as part of a broader strategy of diversification.”

As the international system shifts toward a more multipolar order, the China-Africa relationship is expected to remain central to shaping the future of global governance. With China positioning itself as a supporter of multilateralism and peaceful conflict resolution, its influence in Africa is likely to grow.