China implements zero-tariff policy for 53 African nations, including Burkina Faso, from May 1, 2026
China will implement a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, effective May 1, 2026, as announced by President Xi Jinping on February 14, 2026, at the African Union Summit. This measure, detailed by Xi Wei, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Burkina Faso, extends existing zero-tariff treatment for 33 Least Developed Countries LDCs to an additional 20 non-LDC African nations. China becomes the first major global economy to unilaterally grant full customs duty exemption to all diplomatically-linked African countries and LDCs. This initiative aims to expand China's high-level opening-up, implement outcomes from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation FOCAC, and strengthen the China-Africa shared future community. For Burkina Faso, this policy offers several opportunities: reduced costs and increased profits for Burkinabe products like gold, cotton, and cashews entering the Chinese market, provided they meet origin, inspection, and quarantine requirements. It also encourages trade and investment integration by attracting Chinese capital, technology, and management expertise to transform Burkinabe products locally before export, fostering industrial and agricultural modernization. Economically, the zero-tariff policy is expected to diversify Burkina Faso's export products, increase their value, create jobs, and improve livelihoods. It will also promote cooperation in service trade, digital trade, green industries, and sustainable d
