…. Boost for Eswatini Trade and Industrialisation
By EPN Reporter
MBABANE – In a landmark move that is set to reshape Africa–China trade relations, China has announced the complete removal of tariffs on imports from all African countries, including Eswatini. This development, under the newly launched China–Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, signals a major boost for Eswatini’s export potential.
The partnership aims to ease African countries’ access to the massive Chinese market by scrapping duties on a wide range of goods, improving customs procedures, and building stronger institutional capacity for trade. For Eswatini, this opens a gateway to export local products to China more competitively, creating opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening trade relations with Africa. Speaking on the new framework, he announced China’s readiness to welcome African exports under zero-tariff treatment. The initiative also includes cooperation in logistics, customs, quarantine, and capacity building—areas where Eswatini can benefit through skills transfer and improved infrastructure.
In 2024, trade between Africa and China neared US$300 billion, with China maintaining its position as the continent’s largest trading partner. With tariffs now eliminated, Eswatini’s agricultural goods, textiles, handicrafts, and processed products stand a greater chance of penetrating the Chinese market, provided quality standards are met.
This strategic shift is also expected to support Eswatini’s ambitions under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), by encouraging local production and regional value chains. Eswatini manufacturers and small-scale producers could now find new incentives to add value locally before exporting, rather than relying solely on raw commodity exports.
Moreover, China has pledged to support training programmes and marketing platforms for African products, helping increase the global visibility of high-quality goods from countries like Eswatini. This support aligns with the country’s national development agenda of industrialisation, youth empowerment, and diversification of export markets.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade is expected to engage stakeholders and position Eswatini businesses to take full advantage of this trade opportunity. With strategic planning and capacity building, Eswatini could become a key exporter of premium, value-added products to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
This tariff removal is more than a trade policy—it is a development opportunity that Eswatini must seize.
