African Imposed Trade Tariffs – Rankings and Analysis

With the world seemingly focussed on a single nation’s current focus on import tariffs, with the Trump administration seeking to rebalance its trade deficit, after years of low or no import tariffs, we take a look at that African continent with a deep dive into which countries charge what Tariffs.

Wy Import Tariffs?

The most common reason for the introduction of import tariffs is an attempt to protect specific local industries. However there are various reasons for tariff implementation and this includes:

• Generating National Income: Tariffs provide a source of government income, especially for countries with limited domestic tax bases.
• Stimulating Local Production: By increasing the cost of imports, tariffs incentivize consumers to buy locally-made goods, boosting domestic manufacturing.
• Addressing Trade Imbalances: Tariffs can reduce reliance on imports, narrowing trade deficits by discouraging excessive foreign goods consumption.
• National Security Reasons: Tariffs on critical goods (e.g., steel, tech) ensure self-sufficiency in strategic sectors, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
• Political Retaliation or Negotiation: Tariffs can be used as leverage in trade disputes or to pressure other countries into trade concessions.
• Protect Consumers: In some cases, tariffs deter low-quality or unsafe imports by making them less economically viable.

Do Tariffs have advantages?

Economic theory however suggests that tariffs may distort markets and raise consumer prices, but they continue to persist, mostly due to political, economic and strategic priorities. 

For instance, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on steel imports in 2018 to protect its industry, while developing nations often use tariffs to nurture fledgling markets. 

Conversely, free trade advocates argue tariffs reduce efficiency and global welfare, citing studies like the 2018 OECD report estimating global trade costs from tariffs at 1-2% of GDP.

While tariffs could help stimulate local production there is often a downside with higher cost of goods essentially being paid for by consumers as well as lowering expectations for industries to become more efficient. This can fuel inflation and result in prices of locally manufactured goods being non-competitive in global markets.

Do African Nations Impose Tariffs on Imports?

Currently zero African country, has a blanket zero-tariff policy across all categories. However, SACU members (South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia) apply no tariffs on trade among themselves, effectively creating a zero-tariff zone for intra-SACU imports.

While the African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) has been signed by 54 of the 55 African Union States some countries currently offer preferential (near-zero) tariffs for African-origin goods, but this is not widely fully implemented yet as of 2025.

Top Five African Import Tariffs By Sector 

Below are the top 5 African countries with the highest import tariffs, ranked by weighted mean applied tariffs (all products) where category-specific data is unavailable, with notes on specific categories where possible. Tariffs are expressed as percentages.

Agricultural products:

This includes food, crops (e.g., coffee, cotton), and livestock. High tariffs in Africa often protect domestic agriculture, while recent examples of fruit tariffs by countries such as Tanzania against South Africa and Malawi were retaliatory.

• Tunisia: 19.5% (2024, weighted mean, all products; agriculture typically higher due to food security policies). Tunisia imposes high tariffs on food imports to support local farmers. 
• Algeria: 18.9% (2024, weighted mean). Agricultural tariffs are elevated to protect domestic production, especially grains and dairy.
• Cameroon: 18.1% (2024, weighted mean). As a CEMAC member, Cameroon applies high tariffs on food imports from non-CEMAC countries.
• Central African Republic (CAR): 14.51% (2019, weighted mean). High tariffs on food imports to support local agriculture, despite reliance on imports. 
• Chad: 16.36% (2019, weighted mean). High tariffs on agricultural goods, though much trade is informal. 

Minerals:

This category includes metals, diamonds, and other raw materials. Tariffs are often lower to support industrial inputs.

• Gabon: ~15-20% (CEMAC average, 2023). High tariffs on non-CEMAC mineral imports to protect local mining. 
• Chad: 16.36% (2019, weighted mean). Minerals face high tariffs, though smuggling is prevalent.
• CAR: 14.51% (2019). High tariffs on imported minerals to support diamond and gold sectors.
• Algeria: ~15% (estimated for minerals, 2023). Protects domestic mining industries.
• Cameroon: ~15% (CEMAC average). Tariffs on minerals align with regional policies.

Note: U.S. tariffs on minerals are low (1.7% MFN), suggesting African countries may impose higher tariffs to protect local extraction industries. 

Consumer Goods:

Consumer goods include electronics, household items, and apparel. Tariffs are often high to protect local markets.

• Tunisia: ~20-30% (estimated for consumer goods, 2023). High tariffs on electronics and apparel.
• Algeria: ~20-25% (estimated). Protects domestic consumer goods markets.
• Cameroon: ~18-20% (CEMAC rates). High tariffs on imported electronics and household goods.
• Ghana: 10.5% (2020, weighted mean). Consumer goods like electronics face higher tariffs. 
• Rwanda: 10.2% (2020). High tariffs on consumer imports to promote local production.

Note: Global tariffs on consumer goods are typically twice as high as on intermediate goods (2018 data), with African countries following suit. 

Textiles:

Textile Imports would include apparel, fabrics, and fibres. High tariffs protect local industries, especially in countries like Lesotho.

• South Africa: 40% (apparel), 22% (fabrics), 15% (yarns), 7.5% (fibres) (2024). Highest textile tariffs in Africa to protect local industry. 
• Tunisia: ~20-30% (estimated for apparel, 2023). Protects domestic textile sector.
• Algeria: ~20% (estimated). High tariffs on clothing imports.
• Lesotho: ~15-20% (estimated, 2023). Protects apparel exports under AGOA. 
• Mauritius: ~15% (estimated). High tariffs on textiles to support local garment industry. 

Note: Textiles are a high-volume export for countries like Lesotho and Mauritius, but import tariffs remain high to protect domestic production.

Automotive and Machinery:

The category includes vehicles, parts, and industrial machinery. Tariffs in this category tend to be high with a stated goal of protecting or stimulating local manufacturing and supporting manufacturing job creation.

• South Africa: 25% (light vehicles), 20% (components) (2024). High tariffs to support automotive industry. 
• Algeria: ~20-25% (estimated, 2023). Protects nascent automotive sector.
• Tunisia: ~20% (estimated). High tariffs on vehicles and machinery.
• Cameroon: ~15-20% (CEMAC rates). High tariffs on imported vehicles.
• Nigeria: ~15% (estimated, 2023). Promotes local vehicle assembly.

Note: India’s 70% tariff on passenger vehicles suggests African countries may impose similarly high rates on automotive imports. 

Fuels and Energy Products:

This Sector includes crude oil, petroleum, and gas. Tariffs are often lower as only a few countries are oil producing nations and are mostly fully reliant on imports.

• Algeria: ~15% (estimated, 2023). Moderate tariffs on non-energy fuel imports.
• Cameroon: ~10-15% (CEMAC rates). Tariffs on petroleum products.
• South Africa: Specific excise duties on petroleum products (2024).
• Gabon: ~10-15% (CEMAC rates). Tariffs on imported fuels.
• Chad: ~10% (estimated). Lower tariffs due to oil export reliance.