China's Africa trade push: Partnership or power grab?

Kenya’s first avocado shipments to China arrived under a new zero-tariff rule that took effect on May 1. The policy grants Africa’s biggest economies tariff-free access to China’s market for two years. Early shipments are presented as evidence that the agreement is producing real trade effects. Kenyan farmers describe improved earnings and expanded market access beyond local sales. China’s trade with African countries has grown, reaching a record $348 billion in goods in 2025. African exports to China total about $123 billion, mainly oil, minerals, and raw materials, while imports from China total about $225 billion, mainly manufactured goods, electronics, vehicles, and machinery. Africa’s trade deficit with China rose to a record $102 billion in 2025.

"The first shipments of avocados from Kenya arrived in China under Beijing's new zero-tariff rule early this month a clear sign, analysts say, that the agreement is starting to have real effects. The policy, which came into effect on May 1, gives Africa's biggest economies tariff-free access to China's market for the next two years."

""China introducing the zero tariff is very, very encouraging," Olive Gichuri, a Kenyan coffee farmer, told DW. "It means better earnings for the farmers. When our coffee becomes very competitive, it means more demand and also more market for farmers." "They [farmers] are not only limited to selling their products in the local [Kenyan] market," Gichuri said, adding that the zero tariff had opened the market in China."

""is actually a gift mainly to Africa's stronger economies that are middle-income countries and that are sort of well-positioned to elevate exports." In 2025, China and Africa traded a record $348 billion (312 billion) in goods, according to China's General Administration of Customs. China has been Africa's biggest trading partner for 16 consecutive years."

"African countries sent about $123 billion worth of goods to China, mostly oil, minerals, and other raw materials. In return, they bought around $225 billion worth of products from China, mainly manufactured goods, electronics, vehicles, and machinery. Africa's trade deficit with China grew sharply, hitting a record $102 billion in 2025, up from roughly $62 billion the previous year, according to official Chinese data."

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