Africa must act fast or lose out on China’s tariff windfall – Edward Boateng warns

Former Ghana Ambassador to China, Edward Boateng has cautioned that Africa risks losing the benefits of the recent zero-tariff policy by China if the continent fails to act swiftly.

He believes the continent must strategically position itself by investing in infrastructure, raising quality standards, supporting local entrepreneurs and reinforcing supply chains and regulatory frameworks to tap into the advantage the policy brings.

The comments by the former diplomat as captured in an article comes on the back of China’s move to remove 100% of tariffs on imports from African countries with diplomatic ties.

“If Africa does not organise itself, others will seize the space that should rightly be occupied by African producers,” he warned.

According to him, although there is growing excitement over the game-changing trade opportunity, there is a  critical need for deliberate action to ensure African businesses can compete and thrive in the vast Chinese market.

“This is a historic opening. Africa must move with strategy, urgency, and purposefulness to ensure that this policy shift translates into real economic transformation for the continent. Our media should hail and talk more about this policy initiative and explore how we can drive it to our advantage”, Edward Boateng’s article read in parts.

He further pointed out that, without a coordinated continental response, Africa will only become a transit hub for value extraction rather than a competitive player in global trade.

Edward Boateng therefore challenged African governments and private sector actors to close the competitiveness gap and claim their rightful stake in this opportunity he terms as historic.

“However, we must recognise that Chinese enterprises are already deeply embedded across African markets—well-positioned in every sector to benefit from this policy, as well as the broader advantages offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”