China’s Zero-Tariff Policy Helps Burundi Coffee Reach the Chinese Market

Brief (coffeeyo.com): Since China rolled out zero-tariff treatment for 53 African nations on May 1, 2026, Burundi’s coffee has gained a gateway to the Chinese market. At the 2026 CIFTIS, Gitega Governor Liboire Bigirimana described the opportunity as a chance to take Burundian coffee “from a mountain resource to the Chinese market,” while also eyeing China’s digital-transformation experience.

Beijing, September 11 (People’s Daily Online) — (Reporter Xie Ying) “Starting from May 1, 2026, China has implemented zero-tariff measures for all 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. This creates an important opportunity for Burundi’s coffee to enter the Chinese market, benefits coffee growers, and takes coffee from a ‘mountain resource’ to the Chinese market,” said Liboire Bigirimana, Governor of Gitega Province, Burundi, in an exclusive interview with People’s Daily Online during the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS).

Speaking about his first participation in CIFTIS, Bigirimana used three keywords to sum up his impressions: opportunity, exchange, and innovation. From medical cooperation to coffee trade, from traditional industries to digital transformation, China-Burundi cooperation keeps opening new space. He said he hopes both to learn from China’s practical experience in trade in services and digital technology, and to further tap Burundi’s own strengths in agriculture, culture, and tourism.

Viewing China-Burundi friendship through local cooperation, he said Gitega Province of Burundi and China’s Qinghai Province established friendly relations in 1991, and the two sides have carried out active cooperation in healthcare over the years. Qinghai has provided medical support to Gitega; currently 8 doctors work full-time in local hospitals in Gitega, contributing to local medical services and public health.

Coffee is a keyword Bigirimana repeatedly mentioned when talking about Burundi’s development opportunities. He said Gitega Province has a climate well suited to coffee cultivation, with coffee trees widely distributed locally and great production potential. At this CIFTIS, Burundi set up a booth showcasing coffee, tea, and cultural heritage resources, “hoping to use this CIFTIS platform to let more international buyers get to know us.”

China’s digital transformation experience is an area Bigirimana focused on at this CIFTIS. He said the future development of trade in services cannot be separated from digital technology and artificial intelligence, and this trend must be embraced. Currently, Burundi is promoting the digitalization of public services and exploring AI applications, but relevant infrastructure is not yet complete.

Bigirimana said: “We hope to draw on China’s experience in science and technology, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure construction to improve public service efficiency and further unleash the development potential of trade in services.”

Source: People’s Daily Online (reporter: Xie Ying).

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