Tariffs
China reports record H1 China-Africa trade three months into zero-tariff regime
According to China's Consul-General in Lagos, three-and-a-half months after implementing the zero-tariff policy (effective 1 May 2026), China-Africa two-way trade in the first half of 2026 totalled US$207.4 billion, a record high for the first half of a year. The policy grants zero-tariff treatment to imports from the 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China (all except Eswatini), and for non-LDCs it runs from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2028. The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria outlined priorities including continuous improvement of product quality and supply chain stability, meeting Chinese market standards, and ensuring reliable supply volumes.
ITG interpretation: The regime is asymmetric — it lowers barriers for African exports into China but does not reduce African duties on Chinese goods — so the near-term commercial opportunity for ITG is in structuring African-origin exports (agri-food, minerals) into China rather than expecting cheaper China→Africa inbound. Correct Certificate of Origin referencing China's zero-tariff framework is the key compliance gate.
Sources: The Guardian (Nigeria) – China urges Africa to leverage zero tariff regime
Tariffs
CMA CGM introduces Far East → South Africa overweight surcharge effective 15 August
CMA CGM introduced an Overweight Surcharge (OWS) for dry cargo moving from the Far East to South Africa and Mauritius, effective 15 August 2026 and valid until further notice. The carrier will apply a surcharge of US$500 per 20-foot dry container when cargo weight exceeds 18 tonnes.
ITG interpretation: This directly raises landed cost on heavy China-origin dry cargo (e.g. building materials, machinery, tiles) bound for South Africa, so cargo planning around the 18-tonne threshold can avoid the charge. Splitting or rebalancing loads below the threshold may be more economical than absorbing the fee.
Sources: Container News - CMA CGM introduces overweight surcharge from Far East to Africa · AJOT - CMA CGM Overweight Surcharge (OWS) dry cargo Far East to South Africa
Tariffs
African container rates hold high in August with West Africa peak surcharges elevated
An August 2026 rate roundup reported all-in market rates of roughly $4,200–5,000/40ft for Lagos, $3,015–3,685 for Durban and $4,800–5,000 for Mombasa, down from June peaks but still elevated. Carrier peak-season surcharges remained high, including Maersk's 1 July West Africa PSS of $1,000/20ft and MSC/CMA CGM PSS of $600–800/20ft (to be confirmed at booking). Lagos anchorage waits of 14–21 days, Durban DGT delays of 5–9 days, and structural Red Sea diversion (making Africa a transshipment hub) were cited as keeping the price floor high; South Africa rail maintenance was flagged for around 25 Aug–2 Sep.
ITG interpretation: Landed-cost assumptions for both Türkiye- and China-origin cargo into West Africa should assume sustained surcharge exposure and severe Lagos congestion; feeder routing via Lomé or Tema can bypass the worst Apapa delays for smaller volumes.
Sources: Great Hensen Africa Rates (August 2026)
Tariffs
China–Africa ocean rates hold flat in August while congestion keeps prices high
An August 2026 China freight market update reported Africa was the flattest region at −2%, with Kenya and Nigeria rates unchanged and South Africa down 3%; Kenya printed $5,130–6,270 and Nigeria $3,150–3,850 for the period. A separate August analysis cited all-in 40ft market rates of Lagos $4,200–5,000, Durban $3,015–3,685 and Mombasa $4,800–5,000, with Maersk's 1 July West Africa PSS at $1,000/20ft and MSC/CMA CGM peak surcharges of $600–800/20ft, and noted West Africa H1 2026 imports from China up 12–15% YoY.
ITG interpretation: For China→Africa cargo, rate relief seen on other global lanes has not reached Africa because port congestion (notably Lagos) is holding a price floor, so ITG should plan landed costs around persistently elevated freight plus active peak-season surcharges rather than expecting near-term softening.
Sources: SINO Shipping – Global Freight Market Update (Aug 2026) · Great Hensen – Africa Shipping Rates August 2026
Tariffs
China's zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries shows strong early trade gains
China implemented zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines for imports from the 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, effective 1 May 2026, expanding earlier preferential treatment that had applied mainly to least-developed countries; Eswatini was excluded. Chinese customs figures show imports from Africa in May and June reached about $28.7 billion, a 23.5% year-on-year rise, with avocado imports up 130%, apples 89.6% and oranges 27.9%. Nigeria-China bilateral trade reached about $18 billion in the first half of 2026, up 35%, with Chinese imports from Nigeria surging 80% to $2.3 billion. China-Africa trade reached a record $207 billion in the first half of 2026.
ITG interpretation: The policy is a durable, one-directional (Africa→China) demand driver that is reshaping return-leg cargo economics and creating new agri/processed-goods export flows ITG could originate. For ITG's China→Africa procurement business it also reinforces China's deepening commercial anchor on the continent, which tends to sustain outbound container demand.
Sources: Businessday NG – China imports from Nigeria surge 80% · Xinhua – China zero-tariff measures create new opportunities for Nigeria