The policy took effect on May 1, 2026, extending zero-tariff treatment to African countries with diplomatic relations with China. China's decision to extend zero-tariff treatment to imports from 53 African countries marks a major shift in Africa-China trade relations.
For Kenya, the Chinese market is now more open, the cost barrier has been reduced, and Kenyan exporters have a stronger opportunity to compete in one of the world's largest consumer markets. The policy took effect on May 1, 2026, extending zero-tariff treatment to African countries with diplomatic relations with China.
It builds on China's earlier duty-free access arrangement, introduced on 1st December 2024 for 33 Least-Developed Countries in Africa, and now extends similar market access to non-LDC economies such as Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa. China has described the move as part of its wider opening-up policy and a measure to deepen China-Africa trade cooperation.
I agree with the remarks of Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan that in the near term, this policy will substantially raise the competitiveness of African products in the Chinese market, unleash the potential of trade with China for African countries, and expand the scale and profitability of African exports to China.
In the medium and long term, the ambassador highlights that this policy will encourage more Chinese companies to invest and operate in Africa, support the continent's industrialization, agricultural modernization and regional integration, better integrate Africa into global industry, supply, and value chains, and further broaden, deepen, and elevate the mutually beneficial China-Africa cooperation.
In short, this policy is a win-win solution and an open chance for Africa to bridge the trade deficit For Kenya, this development comes at the right time. The 2026 Economic Survey places China's economy at USD 19.4 trillion, making it the second-largest economy in the world, while Kenya's GDP stood at about $136 billion in 2025.
Kenya's domestic economy grew by 4.6 percent in 2025, with GDP reaching Sh17.6 trillion. Agriculture accounted for 23.2% of GDP, industry for 16.3%, and services for 55%. These figures show that Kenya's export strength must come from agriculture, agro-processing, light manufacturing, logistics, services, and value-added production.
The trade data makes the case even stronger. In 2025, Kenya’s merchandise exports stood at Sh967.9 billion, while imports reached Sh2.77 trillion, leaving a merchandise trade deficit of Sh1.65 trillion. China alone accounted for Sh671.2 billion of Kenya’s imports, making it one of Kenya’s largest import sources.