China will scrap tariffs for all African countries from May 1, with the exception of the tiny nation of Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan.

The announcement means that China’s duty-free policy African nations now covers 53 countries, and will be in place until April 30, 2028. The Chinese administration claims that it is the first major economy to offer unilateral zero-tariff treatment to Africa. 

But BBC News reports that analysts say that tariffs are rarely the main obstacle for exporters in Africa, which as a continent has a huge trade deficit with China, rising in 2025 by 65% to about $102 billion.

In August 2025, the U.S. implemented tariffs on imports from some African nations of up to 30%. But, after the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, most are now subject to tariffs of 10%.

Analysts told the BBC that the exclusion of Eswatini is likely a political move with limited economic impact. The landlocked nation in southern Africa, population 1.25 million, is among just 12 countries worldwide that formally recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation. Beijing has deemed it a breakaway province that will eventually be "reunited" with China. The U.S. does not officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, maintaining instead “robust unofficial relationship” under a "one-China" policy, according to the State Department.