China has announced that starting May 1, it will remove customs duties for almost all African countries, except for Eswatini. This decision, made public by President Xi Jinping, is part of China's ongoing efforts to enhance trade relationships with Africa, where it currently has a duty-free policy for imports from 33 African nations. With this move, Beijing aims to extend its favorable trade conditions to all 53 of its diplomatic partner countries on the continent.

The significance of this policy is underscored by China's position as the largest trading partner in Africa and a pivotal player in financing major infrastructure projects across the region. The initiative marks a continuation of China's