China defends trade footprint, highlights tariff-free export push

Chinese officials yesterday defended the growing presence of cheap Chinese goods in Namibia while promoting a new tariff-free export arrangement.

The export agreement would allow local products such as beef, mutton, grapes and fish to enter the Chinese market without import taxes, officials said.

The arrangement was first announced at the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing in September 2024, where China pledged broader duty-free access for African exports. It now applies to 53 African countries with which China has diplomatic relations.

The comments were made in Windhoek during a media briefing by Chinese ambassador Zhao Weiping and counsellor for economic and commercial affairs Wei Jinming.

Zhao said Chinese products are widely used in Namibia because they are affordable and of good quality, adding that many wholesalers and retailers rely on them for business operations.

He also pointed to small-scale trade involving Namibians who travel to China to import goods for resale locally.

The ambassador noted that Namibian traders, particularly women, travel regularly to China, sometimes once a month, to purchase goods for resale locally. Although customs restrictions limit the quantities they can bring back, he said many still generate enough income to support their families.

Mining interests

On investment, Zhao pointed out that Chinese involvement in Namibia’s mining sector is more limited than often assumed and is mainly concentrated in uranium.

He said there are two major uranium mining projects, which he described as China’s largest single investment in Africa, valued at about US$5 billion.

Beyond uranium, he said a Chinese company acquired a gold mine last year, while a lithium project has reportedly been inactive for some time.

“Otherwise, I can’t think of any other major Chinese investment,” he said, adding that perceptions of widespread Chinese activity across Namibia’s mineral sector may not reflect reality.

Zhao further said uranium has a “special nature” which, in his view, makes full processing within Namibia difficult, meaning much of the processing is handled within existing operations.

Bolstering relationship benefits 

On the trade side, Wei, the counsellor for economic and commercial affairs, outlined what he described as a major opportunity for Namibian exports under China’s zero-tariff arrangement.

He said Namibian beef, mutton, grapes, blueberries and aquatic products could enter China’s market of more than 1.4 billion consumers at reduced cost once export agreements are finalised.

Previously, these products faced tariffs ranging from 12% to 30%, depending on the category. Under the new arrangement, these duties will be reduced to zero.

The zero-tariff framework forms part of China’s broader engagement with African countries following the 2024 FOCAC commitments and is expected to run for two years as implementation is phased in across eligible exports.