CHINA, April 30 -- BEGINNING May 1, China will expand zero-tariff treatment to cover most taxable goods from the least-developed African countries, marking a significant shift in global trade dynamics.

The policy arrives at a critical moment for African economies, which are facing mounting external pressures. Rising global costs, driven by geopolitical instability such as the war in Ukraine and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, have disrupted supply chains and increased the cost of doing business. At the same time, growing protectionist measures in Western economies have made access to traditional export markets more difficult for many African nations.

Against this backdrop, Chinas move offers a new pathway for African exporters see...