Trump Imposes New Tariffs on 51 African Countries

According to a report by Agence Ecofin, on April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs on imported goods from various countries. Starting April 5, a basic tariff of 10% will be applied to all imports, with higher "reciprocal" tariffs set to take effect on April 9 for certain countries. A total of 51 African nations are included, with tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%.

Lesotho will be the most affected African country, with its export tariffs to the U.S. increasing to 50%. Following closely are Madagascar (47%), Mauritius (40%), Botswana (37%), Angola (32%), Libya (31%), Algeria (30%), South Africa (30%), and Tunisia (28%). Other African countries will see tariffs ranging from 11% to 21%. For example, Namibia and Côte d'Ivoire face a 21% tariff, followed by Zimbabwe (18%), Malawi (17%), Zambia (17%), Mozambique (16%), Nigeria (14%), Chad (13%), Equatorial Guinea (13%), as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon (11%). Finally, most of the other African nations impacted by this decree will face a 10% tariff, the lowest level under this new tariff policy. These countries include Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Senegal, Uganda, Gabon, Togo, Liberia, Benin, Congo, Djibouti, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Eswatini, Sudan, Niger, Guinea, Mali, Cape Verde, Burundi, Gambia, Central African Republic, Eritrea, South Sudan, Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania.

These new tariffs could penalize African manufacturing industries, especially the automotive and textile sectors, as their products become less competitive in the U.S. According to a report by the U.S. Trade Representative's office, sub-Saharan African countries exported goods worth $29.3 billion to the U.S. in 2023. Crude oil ($7.3 billion), precious metals ($4.7 billion), and gems ($2.2 billion) dominate the export sectors, but automobiles ($1.7 billion) and clothing ($1.4 billion) are also significant. The main African suppliers are South Africa ($14 billion), Nigeria ($5.7 billion), Ghana ($1.7 billion), Angola ($1.2 billion), and Côte d'Ivoire ($948 million).

African governments are expected to respond in the coming days. Previous tariff increases by the Trump administration have already raised concerns among international trade partners. It remains too early to predict how African businesses will adapt to these new measures. Additionally, the impact of these tariffs on African products currently benefiting from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) remains unclear. According to data from the Congressional Research Service, sub-Saharan African countries are expected to export $8 billion worth of goods to the U.S. under AGOA in 2024.