African imports to China rise on back of zero-tariff policy

Africa’s exports to China have surged since Beijing expanded its zero-tariff policy across the continent in May, reports the South China Morning Post. This comes as customs data showed signs of emerging trade links in a range of new sectors alongside traditional categories such as critical minerals.

China’s imports from Africa soared by 21.1% and 40.2% year on year in May and June, respectively–outpacing the overall growth in Chinese imports over the same period, customs data showed.

The increase was partly driven by China’s growing hunger for critical minerals, as the world’s second-largest economy invests heavily in clean energy, semiconductors and data centres to power its fast-growing artificial intelligence industry.