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The Chinese Embassy in Freetown said Sierra Leone stands to benefit from China’s zero-tariff policy and the upgraded Green Channel 2.0, highlighting the measures as new opportunities to boost exports and strengthen bilateral trade.
In a Facebook post published on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, the embassy noted that trade between China and Sierra Leone reached US$1.46 billion in the first half of 2026, while Sierra Leone’s exports to China totalled US$830 million. The embassy said the new policies are expected to reduce trade costs, improve market access for Sierra Leonean products, and further deepen economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to Chinese authorities, trade between China and Sierra Leone continued to grow strongly during the first half of 2026, reflecting broader gains in China-Africa commercial relations.
Official figures show that total trade in goods between China and Africa reached US$203.55 billion during the first six months of 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of about 24 percent.
During the same period, bilateral trade between China and Sierra Leone totaled US$1.46 billion, an increase of approximately 37.6 percent compared with the same period last year. Sierra Leone’s exports to China reached US$830 million, up about 26.8 percent, according to the figures.
Chinese authorities attributed part of the growing trade relationship to new market access policies introduced this year.
Since May 1, 2026, China has granted zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing. Chinese officials say the measure is intended to help African economies expand exports to China and benefit more from access to the country’s consumer market.
China has also upgraded its customs clearance program, known as Green Channel 2.0, to accelerate the entry of agricultural and food products from Africa into the Chinese market.
According to Chinese authorities, the initiative simplifies market access through trade facilitation measures, including regionalised approval procedures designed to speed the import process for eligible products.
Chinese officials say the combined effect of the zero-tariff policy and the enhanced Green Channel will lower tariff and market-entry costs for Sierra Leonean goods, encourage higher-value exports, and support efforts to expand the country’s presence in the Chinese market.
They added that the measures are expected to provide fresh momentum for economic and trade cooperation between China and Sierra Leone while creating new opportunities for the partnership to grow.
