Trade ties between Africa and China are growing stronger.

Beijing recently announced a zero tariff for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, which will expand duty-free access for African exports under this framework.

Speaking at a media briefing in Windhoek, the Economic Affairs Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, Wei Jinming, explained that the policy follows commitments made at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit.

Bilateral trade between China and Africa reached 340 billion US dollars in 2025. 

China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. Chinese investment stocks in Africa exceed US$40 billion, with more than 3,500 enterprises operating across the continent.

"For a long time, both sides have supported each other in trying times and embarked on a distinctive path of cooperation in the journey towards development and revitalisation. In 2025, China-Africa trade reached US$348 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 17.7% and setting a new historical record. China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years."

For Namibia, the arrangement covers agricultural and fisheries exports, including beef, mutton, grapes, blueberries, wine, and aquatic products.

Tariffs previously ranging between 7% and 25% on selected products are now reduced to zero under the framework.

"China took the lead in reducing tariffs under the framework of the Economic Partnership Agreement for Shared Development, aiming to ease market access rapidly for African goods, promote more high-quality African products to enter China's massive market, and help African countries develop industries, increase income, improve people's livelihoods, enhance the economic resilience of both sides, and maintain the stability of global and regional supply chains. This is a pragmatic action by China to carry out South-South cooperation as a responsible developing country and to proactively assume international responsibilities. The zero-tariff treatment demonstrates the essence of the community with a shared future for humanity."

Next steps involve negotiations on a framework agreement and an early harvest arrangement between China and Namibia. 

Further talks are expected on structured cooperation modules covering trade facilitation, supply chain resilience, and development cooperation.