China’s Zero Tariffs Expose Africa’s Bigger Value-Addition Challenge

China has removed tariffs on goods from more than 50 African countries.

This makes it cheaper for African exporters to sell products in China.

Early figures show that trade increased after the policy began.

However, a Nigerian minister said that lower tariffs are not enough by themselves.

African countries also need to make and export more finished products.

Much of Africa’s current trade with China involves raw materials such as oil, copper and iron ore.

China sells far more goods to Africa than Africa sells to China.

The main challenge is therefore helping African economies produce higher-value goods.