President Xi Jinping has announced that China will begin scrapping tariffs for nearly all African nations from May 1, according to state media reports on Saturday.

Beijing already operates a zero-tariff policy for imports from 33 African countries but had pledged last year to extend the arrangement to all 53 African nations with which it maintains diplomatic ties.

From May 1, zero levies will apply to all African countries except Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over the island.

China remains Africa’s largest trading partner and a major financier of infrastructure projects across the continent through its Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi said the zero-tariff policy “will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for African development,” as leaders gathered in Ethiopia for the annual summit of the African Union.

The move comes amid shifting global trade dynamics, with many African countries strengthening ties with China and other partners following tariff measures introduced last year by former US President Donald Trump.