By: Mathias Hangala
In a sweeping shift in U.S. trade policy, the White House has implemented a new set of tariffs targeting 90 countries worldwide, with Africa’s nations among those experiencing its effects.
The tariffs, which came into effect on Friday, range from 10% to 40%, and are aimed at reducing the United States’ longstanding trade deficit.
The policy has triggered concern and criticism across the African continent. Countries such as Lesotho and Namibia, whose economies rely heavily on exports to the U.S., have seen adjustments in their proposed tariff rates following diplomatic pushback. Lesotho, a major textile exporter in southern Africa, saw its originally proposed 50% tariff reduced to 15%. Similarly, Namibia, known for its beef and raw mineral exports, also secured a reduction from 21% to 15%.
Despite these concessions, the broader impact remains significant. Africa’s two largest economies—South Africa and Nigeria—will be subject to 30% tariffs, a blow to key industries such as oil, car manufacturing, citrus, and minerals, as well as bilateral relations. The U.S. administration, under President Trump, has been openly critical of South Africa’s land reform policies, and relations between Washington and Pretoria have soared within the past months. In a controversial move, the U.S. recently granted refugee status to a group of Afrikaners seeking asylum, further fuelling diplomatic tensions.
The Trump administration also executed several orders – some of which halted aid to Africa, resulting in numerous NGOs halting business.
The new tariffs have reignited debates about Africa’s dependency on Western markets. Commentators argue that the continent must pivot towards building stronger intra-African trade and aligning more closely with emerging global coalitions such as BRICS.
“This should be a wake-up call,” said one trade analyst in Lagos. “Africa needs to diversify its partnerships and develop resilient economic frameworks that don’t rely so heavily on the goodwill of the West.”
As the new tariffs ripple through supply chains and export markets, African leaders are expected to convene in the coming weeks to chart a collective response.
Below is the list of African countries affected by Trump’s new tariffs:
| Rank | Country | New tariff | April tariff |
| 1 | Algeria | 30% | 30% |
| 2 | Libya | 30% | 31% |
| 3 | South Africa | 30% | 30% |
| 4 | Tunisia | 25% | 28% |
| 5 | Angola | 15% | 32% |
| 6 | Botswana | 15% | 37% |
| 7 | Cameroon | 15% | 11% |
| 8 | Chad | 15% | 13% |
| 9 | Côte d’Ivoire | 15% | 21% |
| 10 | DRC | 15% | 11% |
| 11 | Equatorial Guinea | 15% | 13% |
| 12 | Ghana | 15% | 10% |
| 13 | Lesotho | 15% | 50% |
| 14 | Madagascar | 15% | 47% |
| 15 | Malawi | 15% | 17% |
| 16 | Mauritius | 15% | 40% |
| 17 | Mozambique | 15% | 16% |
| 18 | Namibia | 15% | 21% |
| 19 | Nigeria | 15% | 14% |
| 20 | Uganda | 15% | 10% |
| 21 | Zambia | 15% | 17% |
| 22 | Zimbabwe | 15% | 18% |
