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The Diplomat
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Diplomat
Africa and China: Turning FOCAC's Strategic Upgrades Into Real Outcomes
As African and Chinese leaders gathered once again in Changsha in June 2025 for the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the momentum from last year's landmark Beijing Summit was unmistakable. With representatives from 53 African countries in attendance, the September 2024 Beijing Summit was a diplomatic milestone – hailed as the most successful Africa+1 summit ever held. Outside the big conference hall, China's President Xi Jinping met one-on-one with leaders from 40 African nations on bilateral agendas. But beyond the red carpets and formalities, the Beijing Summit marked a new chapter – one in which Africa's voice grows louder and its strategy sharper. For African leaders, one of most significant outcomes was the upgrade of the overall Africa-China relationship to an 'all weather partnership' and every single Africa-China bilateral relationship to at least a 'strategic partnership,' with several achieving even higher designations. This may sound like diplomatic jargon, but the implications are tangible. The 'strategic' designation in a bilateral partnership means collaboration goes far beyond ad hoc cooperation on individual projects or sectors, and both sides would embed their collaboration within development plans with institutionalized mechanisms to ensure follow-through. Such strategically framed cooperation is built to weather external shocks, from regional instability to global market swings, and encompasses high‑level coordination on peace and security as well as structured consensus‑building on international governance. A review of the outcomes from implementing the 2024 Beijing Action Plan shows that the diplomatic elevation of Africa-China ties is already translating into tangible results. One notable shift is on trade: in a move that goes far beyond the limited impact of last December's pledge to remove tariffs on exports from African Least Developed Countries (LDCs), China has now eliminated all remaining tariffs on goods from 53 African countries with which Beijing has diplomatic ties. This move contrasts sharply with recent U.S. trade measures that have imposed tariffs as high as 50 percent on African exports. On investment, the numbers are equally telling: between the September 2024 Beijing summit and March 2025, new investment from Chinese enterprises in Africa reached 13.38 billion yuan ($1.87 billion), alongside 130 billion yuan in financing and 140 billion yuan in insurance support for African development projects. These shifts confirm that upgraded ties are not merely symbolic – they are shaping resource flows and market access in real time. And yet, here's the key point: the significance of these gains hinges on whether African countries can make them matter. As our data at Development Reimagined shows, upgrades often coincide with summit years or top-leadership visits, but what truly drives elevation is consistent, substantive engagement. Angola is a clear example. After establishing a strategic partnership in 2010 during then-Vice President Xi Jinping's visit, Angola joined the Belt and Road Initiative in 2018, aligning its development strategy with China's global vision. In March 2024, following President João Lourenço's visit to Beijing, the relationship was elevated to a 'comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership,' which is a top-tier status that builds on shared long-term strategic goals – sometimes with joint timelines for delivery – and includes targeted commitments in sectors like infrastructure, energy, and development finance, as well as consensus on regional and global governance issues. For 35 years in a row, China's foreign minister has visited Africa on the first overseas trip at the start of the calendar year. The pattern continued in 2025, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi's tour of Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Chad, and Nigeria reinforcing shared priorities in infrastructure, industrialization, and trade. These visits were soon followed by more detailed bilateral agreements – such as the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Congo, and a strategic cooperation agreement on agro-processing and industrial park development with Namibia during the recent Changsha meeting. Crucially, it's not only Africa's largest economies that saw upgrades. Madagascar, for example, had already achieved a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership as early as 2017, a signal of recognition for its long-term cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative and a focus on agricultural innovation. Hybrid rice technology and shared research hubs are not minor add-ons to the relationship – they're the future of climate-smart food sovereignty. Likewise, Rwanda's elevation during last FOCAC has leveraged innovation in modernizing agricultural productivity and promoted exports such as coffee and chili to the Chinese market. In short, China is responsive to proactive African engagement. The new structure of relations reflects demand, not charity. This opens a clear opportunity – but also a challenge. African states must now sharpen their strategies to maximize the new framework. The Beijing Action Plan speaks broadly about shared goals, but implementation depends on country-specific proposals and clarity. If a country wants better trade access, it needs to make the case with data, readiness, and product consistency. If it seeks support for industrial upgrading, it must show how it will create jobs and value, not just import factories. Nigeria offers a clear example of how strategic upgrades can serve as a springboard – but only when matched with a clear national agenda. Although its strategic partnership with China dates back to 2005, the relationship remained largely quiet until 2024. The inauguration of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee in June – co-chaired by Foreign Ministers Wang Yi and Yusuf Tuggar – marked a shift toward more structured engagement. Since then, follow-up has gained momentum, aligning with Nigeria's goal of shifting from a net importer of Chinese goods to a competitive exporter. One key outcome was the China-Nigeria three-year cooperation plan (covering 2024–2026) prioritizing energy, mining, and metallurgy, with a focus on deepening value addition and upgrading Nigeria's industrial base. Another achievement was the renewal of a 15 billion yuan currency swap agreement. Already, the contours of these ambitions are taking shape. Multiple bilateral deals signed during FOCAC promise greater infrastructure investment, from ports and railways to energy corridors. Notably, renewable energy featured prominently. Botswana has launched a Chinese-financed 100MW solar plant, Uganda and Tanzania have advanced major hydropower stations, and wind projects are progressing in Egypt, Mauritania, and Zimbabwe. These early movers reflect how some countries are already leveraging upgraded ties to drive their green industrial agendas. In health, COVID-19's legacy has galvanized a shift toward joint vaccine production, medical logistics, and regional public health infrastructure. Digital infrastructure and e-commerce platforms were also on the table, recognizing that Africa's growth must now be digitally-enabled. Still, the weight of these opportunities varies by preparedness. Countries that enter these upgraded partnerships with clear development blueprints – rooted in national plans and continental frameworks like Agenda 2063 – are more likely to see benefits flow. Others risk symbolic upgrades that fail to translate into impact. There is also a growing concern about Chinese stakeholders advancing projects without deep African involvement, which may lead to misplaced investments and local pushback. That's why strategic planning at the national level is now more urgent than ever. The next phase of China-Africa cooperation will of course be led from Beijing but also shaped in national ministries, regional blocs, and African cities and towns where real implementation occurs. What's promising is that many African governments are learning from one another. Whether it's the expansion of borehole projects improving water access in Rwanda and Zimbabwe through Chinese aid, Ethiopia's industrial zones transforming manufacturing capacity, or Tanzania's surge in sesame exports and production since the introduction of the 'Green Lane' initiative, there are valuable lessons emerging across the continent. FOCAC can – and should – be more than a talking shop. It can become a platform where African countries negotiate not just with China, but also learn to negotiate better with each other, building regional value chains and leveraging collective priorities. FOCAC 2024 marked a milestone, but 2025 is the year that will test whether upgraded ties can deliver real outcomes. As China deepens engagement with other regions – through summits with Latin America, Central Asia, and beyond – Africa must sharpen its own value proposition. African policymakers must ask: what do these upgraded ties mean for us now? More importantly, how do we move from diplomatic words to domestic wins? The tools are there. The action plan is ongoing. The ball, now, is in Africa's court.
Ya Biladi
13-06-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
China to eliminate tariffs on African exports, Morocco among beneficiaries
China has announced plans to eliminate all tariffs on goods from 53 African countries it maintains diplomatic ties with, including Morocco. The move, announced following a meeting between senior Chinese and African officials in Changsha, is part of a broader economic pact aimed at boosting African exports to the Chinese market. The initiative will extend duty-free access beyond least developed countries (LDCs) to include middle-income nations. «It enables middle-income countries like Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco... to be able to now enter the Chinese market duty-free» Hannah Ryder, head of the Africa-focused consultancy Development Reimagined, told Reuters on Thursday. The move is expected to boost access for value-added African products to the vast Chinese market. Morocco, with its growing industrial base, particularly in automotive and agri-food sectors, stands to benefit. It is worth noting that Moroccan exports to China reached $1.3 billion in 2024, a figure expected to rise under the new plan. En 2024, les exportations marocaines vers la #Chine se sont élevées à 1,3 milliard de dollars. Avec la nouvelle mesure de zéro #tarif, ce chiffre va continuer d'augmenter. — Ambassade de Chine au Maroc (@ChineAmbMaroc) June 13, 2025 The Chinese foreign ministry also pledged additional support for LDCs to ensure they are not disadvantaged by the new arrangement. The measure could help rebalance trade, which remains skewed in China's favor. Last year, China recorded a $62 billion trade surplus with Africa.
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
China says it will remove all tariffs on African exports to boost trade
NAIROBI - China will negotiate and sign a new economic pact with Africa that will get rid of all tariffs on the 53 African states it has diplomatic ties with, it said, a move that could benefit middle-income nations. The Asian economic giant offers duty- and quota-free market access to least developed countries (LDCs), including many in Africa, but the new initiative will level the playing field by also offering middle-income countries similar market access. "China is ready to... welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market", China's foreign ministry said after a meeting of senior Chinese officials with African foreign ministers in Changsha to review implementation of commitments made during a summit in Beijing last September. In recognition of the significant disadvantages that businesses from LDCs like Tanzania or Mali could face from their more developed counterparts like South Africa once the market is fully opened, China pledged additional measures to support LDCs, including training and marketing promotion. Beijing's move could help relatively advanced countries, with significant manufacturing bases for value added products, to take advantage of the vast Chinese market, analysts said. "It enables middle-income countries like Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco... to be able to now enter the Chinese market duty-free," said Hannah Ryder, founder of Development Reimagined, an Africa-focused consultancy. Trade between China and Africa has been growing in recent years, but it has been heavily skewed in favour of China, which had a surplus of $62 billion last year. "Unless we have an equivalent increase of African exports to China, then trade deficits will continue to increase," Ryder said, adding that the initiative announced by Beijing could help to balance trade. During last year's summit in Beijing, China pledged 360 billion yuan ($50 billion) to African economies over three years in credit lines and investments, marking its return to big-ticket funding deals for the continent after a pandemic-related hiatus. ($1 = 7.1747 Chinese yuan renminbi)
Business Recorder
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
China says it will remove all tariffs on African exports to boost trade
NAIROBI: China will negotiate and sign a new economic pact with Africa that will get rid of all tariffs on the 53 African states it has diplomatic ties with, it said, a move that could benefit middle-income nations. The Asian economic giant offers duty- and quota-free market access to least developed countries (LDCs), including many in Africa, but the new initiative will level the playing field by also offering middle-income countries similar market access. 'China is ready to... welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market', China's foreign ministry said after a meeting of senior Chinese officials with African foreign ministers in Changsha to review implementation of commitments made during a summit in Beijing last September. In recognition of the significant disadvantages that businesses from LDCs like Tanzania or Mali could face from their more developed counterparts like South Africa once the market is fully opened, China pledged additional measures to support LDCs, including training and marketing promotion. Beijing's move could help relatively advanced countries, with significant manufacturing bases for value added products, to take advantage of the vast Chinese market, analysts said. 'It enables middle-income countries like Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco... to be able to now enter the Chinese market duty-free,' said Hannah Ryder, founder of Development Reimagined, an Africa-focused consultancy.
Reuters
12-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
China says it will remove all tariffs on African exports to boost trade
NAIROBI, June 12 (Reuters) - China will negotiate and sign a new economic pact with Africa that will get rid of all tariffs on the 53 African states it has diplomatic ties with, it said, a move that could benefit middle-income nations. The Asian economic giant offers duty- and quota-free market access to least developed countries (LDCs), including many in Africa, but the new initiative will level the playing field by also offering middle-income countries similar market access. "China is ready to... welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market", China's foreign ministry said after a meeting of senior Chinese officials with African foreign ministers in Changsha to review implementation of commitments made during a summit in Beijing last September. In recognition of the significant disadvantages that businesses from LDCs like Tanzania or Mali could face from their more developed counterparts like South Africa once the market is fully opened, China pledged additional measures to support LDCs, including training and marketing promotion. Beijing's move could help relatively advanced countries, with significant manufacturing bases for value added products, to take advantage of the vast Chinese market, analysts said. "It enables middle-income countries like Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco... to be able to now enter the Chinese market duty-free," said Hannah Ryder, founder of Development Reimagined, an Africa-focused consultancy. Trade between China and Africa has been growing in recent years, but it has been heavily skewed in favour of China, which had a surplus of $62 billion last year. "Unless we have an equivalent increase of African exports to China, then trade deficits will continue to increase," Ryder said, adding that the initiative announced by Beijing could help to balance trade. During last year's summit in Beijing, China pledged 360 billion yuan ($50 billion) to African economies over three years in credit lines and investments, marking its return to big-ticket funding deals for the continent after a pandemic-related hiatus. ($1 = 7.1747 Chinese yuan renminbi)
