China has announced the full implementation of a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, including Nigeria, under the Changsha Declaration. This move strengthens economic ties within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and follows commitments made during the 2024 Beijing Summit.
The announcement was made by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs after a high-level meeting with African foreign ministers in Changsha. Representatives from China, the African Union Commission, and all 53 participating African nations reaffirmed their commitment to building a long-term partnership and a “shared future.”
The Changsha Declaration emphasizes stronger cooperation among Global South nations and calls for fairer global governance. It also criticizes rising protectionism, unilateralism, and economic coercion—specifically calling on countries like the United States to settle trade disputes through dialogue.
China’s zero-tariff initiative will cover 100% of tariff lines for goods from African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing (excluding Eswatini, which does not have formal relations with China). This will give African products broader access to the Chinese market.
For Africa’s least developed countries, the initiative includes easier customs procedures, technical training, and increased support to boost trade.
China also pledged continued support for the African Union’s Agenda 2063, promising cooperation in green industries, digital trade, science and technology, AI, finance, and legal frameworks. A new China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development will also be launched.
To boost cultural ties, China confirmed plans to host the “2026 Year of People-to-People Exchanges.”
In September 2024, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu signed five agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the FOCAC summit. Tinubu praised the partnership as a sign of mutual respect and cooperation. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, later confirmed that those agreements are now in different stages of implementation.