China-Africa trade makes ‘moderate’ gains despite US tariffs, currency weakness

Name: How China is reshaping its economic ties with Africa
Uploaded: 2025-04-21T09:00:14.000Z
Duration: 16 min 9 s
Description: How China is reshaping its economic ties with Africa

First quarter customs data shows Chinese exports to Africa climbed 11.3% to US$45.92 billion while imports from the continent fell 9.4%

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China is reported to have been Africa’s top trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with trade exceeding US$295.56 billion in 2024, a 6 per cent increase from the previous year. Photo: EPA-EFE

Jevans Nyabiage

Published: 5:00pm, 21 Apr 2025Updated: 5:28pm, 21 Apr 2025

China’s trade with Africa grew by a moderate 2.7 per cent year on year in the first quarter to reach US$72.6 billion despite rising trade uncertainties from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The latest customs data shows a mixed picture, with Chinese exports to Africa climbing 11.3 per cent to US$45.92 billion, while imports from the continent fell 9.4 per cent to US$26.69 billion.

The marginal increase comes amid growing trade uncertainties following Trump’s return to protectionist policies, including “reciprocal tariffs” on select African exports ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent.

While the measures have been paused for 90 days, they threaten key African economies that rely heavily on the US preferential trade programme known as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

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How China is reshaping its economic ties with Africa

A Chinese diplomat in Africa, however, has expressed optimism that Beijing’s duty-free plan for products from the 33 least-developed African countries will boost China-Africa trade and help the continent combat the effects of the tariffs.