THE AFRICA TIMES | CHINA — China-Africa trade reached a record 1.41 trillion yuan ($197 billion) in the first half of 2026. Beijing’s zero-tariff policy for African countries has strengthened exports from the continent and reinforced China’s broader economic engagement with Africa.
Record Trade Achieved
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced that two-way trade reached an all-time high during the January-June period. The current trend indicates that another annual record is set to be achieved by the end of the year.
This surge in trade figures was driven by a significant increase in China’s imports from Africa. Beijing’s zero-tariff treatment, applied to all African countries maintaining diplomatic ties with China, has underpinned this growth.
