Ghanaian exporters have been urged to strengthen production capacity, improve product standards and build relationships with Chinese buyers to take advantage of China’s zero-tariff policy for eligible African products.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Cong Song, said the policy presented opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to expand their access to China’s consumer market of more than 1.4 billion people, particularly in sectors such as cocoa processing, cashew, shea butter, textiles and handicrafts.
Speaking at the High-Level Ghana–China Zero-Tariff Forum 2026 at the Africa Trade House in Accra, Ambassador Cong said African countries needed to address production and institutional challenges to translate improved market access into higher export earnings.
He said China’s imports from Africa increased by 23.3 per cent year-on-year by the end of September 2026, while its exports to the continent grew by 23.9 per cent over the same period.
The growth comes after China introduced its zero-tariff policy on May 1, 2026, covering eligible products from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, including Ghana.
Ambassador Cong also disclosed that China-Africa trade reached US$348 billion in 2025, representing a 17.7 per cent increase over the previous year.
He noted that some Ghanaian cocoa products previously attracted tariffs ranging from eight to 22 per cent when entering the Chinese market, adding that the new policy could improve the competitiveness of eligible Ghanaian exports.
Beyond expanding trade, he said the policy could encourage investment in manufacturing and local processing, create jobs and improve economic opportunities for farmers and small businesses.
However, he stressed that African countries needed to identify priority export products and align domestic production with Chinese standards and market requirements to benefit fully from the initiative.
Participants at the forum similarly highlighted the need to strengthen production capacity, certification, standards compliance, export financing and logistics, alongside building reliable connections with Chinese buyers.
The discussions underscored the importance of ensuring that Ghanaian businesses are equipped to meet demand in the Chinese market and convert the tariff concessions into increased exports and local economic benefits.
The forum was co-hosted by the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA) and CEIBS Africa, with support from Prudential Bank Ghana Limited.
It brought together about 200 participants from government, business, financial institutions, diplomatic missions, development partners, academia, trade-support agencies and the media.
