China urges Namibian exporters to use new zero-tariff access

Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping has urged Namibian producers and exporters to take up China’s zero-tariff access, which is now open to all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with Beijing.

Briefing journalists in Windhoek yesterday, Zhao said the policy took effect on 1 May 2026. He described it as a “groundbreaking” step in expanding China’s high-standard opening up, and as much-needed help for African countries trying to accelerate their development.

“We hope Namibia will make full use of the zero-tariff access, the upgraded fast track for Namibian exports to reach China, and other favourable policies, so that more high-quality Namibian products will come in at a faster pace,” Zhao said.

He said the measures also include an upgrade of the “green channel” for African products entering the Chinese market.

**Xi sets out China’s Africa positions **

Zhao pointed to a series of meetings between president Xi Jinping and African leaders in 2026 that set out China’s approach.

On 21 April, Xi told Mozambican president Daniel Chapo that China and Africa, together with other Global South countries, represent “a just force” in a turbulent world, Zhao said. Xi said the two sides had stood “shoulder to shoulder, through thick and thin” over 70 years of diplomatic relations.

He also said conflicts in the Middle East are spilling over into African countries. Xi set out three priorities: promoting peace, keeping a strategic focus on development, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

**Mining a key focus **

Mining featured in two of the meetings, the ambassador said. On 10 July, Xi told President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah that China is ready to strengthen mining cooperation with African countries, including Namibia. He named three principles: mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, friendly consultation, and breaking new ground through market-oriented and commercial approaches.

On 13 October, Xi met Botswana’s President Duma Gideon Boko and outlined four principles for mining cooperation, Zhao said. The first was that African resources belong to Africa, and China offered to help African countries draw up mining development plans suited to their national conditions.

The others were mutual benefit, high-quality development with a push toward industrial value addition, and a fair and open business environment.

On value addition, Zhao said China would move mining cooperation toward processing and explore financing models that are “affordable and sustainable”. Xi also said Africa’s resources should not be used for geopolitical rivalry.

**Peace in Africa **

At a separate meeting on 13 October, Xi told Togo’s president of the Council of Ministers, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, that all parties should take part constructively in resolving hotspot issues on the continent, according to Zhao.

Xi set out four principles: the process should be “Africa-led”, fair and just, aimed at ending hostilities, and focused on both the symptoms and the root causes of conflict.

The Chinese president said wars and unilateral sanctions cannot fundamentally resolve conflicts between countries.

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