China-Africa trade rises 22% amid expanded duty-free access

Trade between China and Africa reached 312.11 billion U.S. dollars in the first nine months of 2026, up 22 percent from the same period last year, according to the latest customs data.

The growth has been supported by China's zero-tariff policy. Effective May 1, China fully eliminated tariffs on all tariff lines for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, allowing more African goods to enter the Chinese market.

From May to September, the import value of African peanuts surged 4.4 times year on year, while imports of frozen strawberries and avocados increased by 113 percent and 82 percent, respectively. China has become Egypt's largest export market for frozen strawberries, while 90 percent of South Africa's pecan exports are shipped to China.

Liu Yu, director of the West Asia and Africa Department of China's Ministry of Commerce, said African products have enriched the domestic market. Africa accounts for 70 percent of China's sesame imports and 40 percent of its coffee imports. African pomelos, apples and other fruits also help meet demand for fresh produce outside the usual growing season.

The expansion in trade has been accompanied by stronger logistics links. The air cargo route between Ezhou City in central China's Hubei Province and Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, now operates seven flights a week. A total of 456 flights were operated on the route in the first nine months of 2026, up nearly 60 percent year on year.

Yue Bin, deputy general manager of the Enterprise Management Department of Hubei International Logistics Airport Co., Ltd., said cargo volume to Africa had doubled since the beginning of the year to 36,000 metric tons. More frequent flights have made it easier to transport time-sensitive products, including fresh flowers and coffee beans, to the Chinese market.

Maritime transport has also expanded. Cargo volume on the route between Yantai Port and Africa exceeded 8 million tons from the beginning of the year, up 93 percent year on year and marking a record since the route was launched. The route has maintained an average of more than 30 sailings per month, covering over 20 African countries and regions.

According to CCTV+, the removal of tariffs and the expansion of transport infrastructure are creating more opportunities for China-Africa trade while making African products more accessible to Chinese consumers.