China has announced that Ghana will be among the first African countries to receive full zero-tariff access to the Chinese market under a new trade arrangement aimed at expanding bilateral economic cooperation.
Mr. Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, said the agreement was one of the major outcomes of President John Dramani Mahama’s recent state visit to Beijing, during which he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on strengthening economic ties.
Speaking at a press briefing at his residence in Accra, the Ambassador described the zero-tariff offer as a landmark step that will grant Ghana duty-free access on 100 percent of tariff lines once implementation modalities are finalised. However, technical teams from both countries are currently working on the rollout.
Mr. Tong said the arrangement opens Ghana’s exports to “one of the world’s most promising and fastest-growing markets,” noting that China’s population of over 1.4 billion includes more than 400 million middle-income earners, a number expected to double in the coming years.
He stressed that the offer is unilateral and does not require Ghana to extend reciprocal tariff concessions.
“China does not require reciprocal zero-tariffs from Ghana, nor is this intended to expand Chinese exports into the Ghanaian market,” he said. Instead, the policy aims to support developing economies, stimulate production and promote industrial advancement across Africa.
The Ambassador said Ghana stands to benefit significantly through expanded exports of cocoa and cocoa products, cashew nuts, rice, shea butter, textiles, handicrafts and other processed agricultural goods.
He explained that the new access could increase production, attract investment, extend value chains and boost industrial output.
Mr. Tong said the initiative aligns with Ghana’s industrialisation drive and complements the government’s proposed 24-Hour Economy policy.
“This is a pragmatic measure by China to support the ‘24-Hour Economy’, and we hope Ghana will benefit from it as early as possible,” he added.
He referenced China’s earlier implementation of zero-tariff arrangements for 33 least-developed African countries under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which resulted in a nine percent increase in their exports to China between January and August.
The Ambassador highlighted the growing appreciation of African products among Chinese consumers, citing rising demand for Ghanaian chocolate, Rwandan chilli sauces, Senegalese tuna, South African wines, Kenyan avocados and Beninese pineapples.
He also praised Ghana’s active participation in the China International Import Expo (CIIE), where local exhibitors have showcased cocoa products, shea lotions, black soap and handicrafts, items he said enjoy steady market potential.
Mr. Tong further noted that China values Ghana’s role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, adding that the zero-tariff policy complements Africa’s broader integration agenda.
“China’s market is always open to Ghana, and the door will open even wider,” he said.
He encouraged Ghanaian exporters, manufacturers and investors to take full advantage of the opportunity to scale up production, competitiveness and value addition.
He added that the hundreds of Chinese companies already operating in Ghana, in infrastructure, mining, manufacturing, aviation, green energy and oil refining stand ready to deepen partnerships and create jobs.
Ambassador Tong emphasised that China’s approach to cooperation is based on mutual benefit, not exploitation, and that the zero-tariff policy reflects Beijing’s commitment to shared development.
“In a period of global trade wars and tariff barriers, China’s offer will be a boost to Africa’s economy,” he said.
He urged the Ghanaian media to increase public awareness of the opportunity and called on product developers to prioritise value-addition in order to maximise earnings from the expanded Chinese market.
