Trade experts are calling on African nations to move beyond raw material exports and accelerate industrialisation following China’s expanded zero-tariff policy for African goods.
The policy, which took effect on May 1, is seen as a major opportunity to deepen trade ties, but analysts warn that its benefits will remain limited unless African economies strengthen their position within global value chains.
Focus Shifts to Value Addition and Industrialisation
Speaking at a high-level dialogue organised by the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory, experts stressed that exporting unprocessed commodities will not deliver long-term economic transformation.
Xiaoyang Tang urged countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Kenya to adopt targeted strategies that promote processing and manufacturing.
“This is about industrial complementarity,” he noted, emphasizing that Africa must integrate into broader production ecosystems rather than remain a supplier of raw materials.
Expanding Opportunities Across Sectors
Experts highlighted multiple sectors where value addition could unlock significant gains, including:
- Processed agricultural products such as cocoa and coffee
- Textile and apparel manufacturing
- Green minerals and emerging industrial materials
- Creative and cultural industries
Wang Jinjie emphasized that meeting Chinese quality standards and regulatory requirements will be critical for African exporters seeking to access the market.
Read more : China Expands Zero-Tariff Access to 53 African Countries
Industrial Zones as a Model for Growth
Case studies such as Tanzania’s special economic zones were cited as examples of how value addition can transform export profiles. Rosemary Mnongya pointed to the development of products like avocado oil as evidence of how local processing can increase export value.
At the same time, Mikatekiso Kubaya stressed that deeper industrial cooperation with China could enhance Africa’s resilience to global economic shocks.
From Market Access to Industrial Strategy
China’s trade liberalisation with Africa has evolved steadily over the past decade, expanding from partial tariff reductions to near-complete access, and now to a unified zero-tariff framework for eligible countries.
While the policy removes a major barrier to entry, experts caution that market access alone is not enough. Without investments in infrastructure, skills, and industrial capacity, African economies risk remaining locked in low-value export cycles.
A Critical Turning Point for African Trade
The zero-tariff initiative presents a rare window for structural transformation, but its success will depend on how effectively African countries respond.
For the textile sector in particular, the opportunity lies not just in exporting raw cotton or fabrics, but in building integrated manufacturing ecosystems that can compete globally.
As global trade dynamics continue to shift, the message from experts is clear: the future of Africa-China trade will be defined not by volume, but by value.
Read more : Xi Jinping Announces Zero-Tariff Policy for 53 African Nations
