Overview
- Eligibility is limited to African states that maintain diplomatic relations with China, reflecting Beijing’s stance on Taiwan.
- The Chinese government has codified the policy through the China–Africa Development Economic Partnership Agreement, expanding a prior scheme that covered 33 countries.
- President Xi Jinping signaled upgraded “green lane” procedures and other facilitation steps to accelerate African exports and broaden market access.
- South Africa signed a Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development and is working toward an early‑harvest deal to secure long‑term, WTO‑compliant zero‑tariff access.
- Bilateral trade reached $222 billion in the latest reported period, with a large African deficit that the tariff opening is intended to help address.