14 Projects Signed at the China-Africa Dialogue on Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Changsha
On the morning of June 13, the China-Africa Dialogue on Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship was held in Changsha under the theme “Harnessing the Power of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to Promote China-Africa Youth Development.”
Event Scene
At the event, 14 China-Africa cooperation projects were signed collectively, covering areas such as drone market cooperation, solar power systems, and a wide array of agricultural collaboration initiatives. These cooperation achievements will advance cooperation between Hunan Xiangjiang New Area and African countries including Uganda, Mozambique, and Nigeria in fields such as new energy, construction machinery, agriculture, healthcare, and e-commerce. This collaboration is expected to foster mutual economic and social benefits and inject powerful momentum into youth innovation and entrepreneurship across China and Africa.
It is worth noting that the Hunan Xiangjiang New Area–China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base signed framework cooperation agreements with seven African youth incubation institutions and business associations including The Youth Cafe, a pan-African youth-led organization representing 1 million members and 3,500 youth groups in Kenya and across Africa, further expanding the base’s incubation network.
Certificates of Appointment Issued to Eight Think Tank Experts of the “Hunan Xiangjiang New Area–China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base”
Registration Certificates Issued to Five Overseas NGOs (Africa)
During the event, eight individuals including Aboubacar Garba Konte and Yu Xiaoyi were appointed as experts of the “Hunan Xiangjiang New Area–China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base Think Tank,” and were awarded letters of appointment. Additionally, registration certificates were issued to five African overseas NGOs.
Framework cooperation agreements Signing Ceremony from left CURAD, Made in China Goods Trade Association, The Youth Cafe, Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce among others.
Signing of China-Africa Business and Trade Projects
The Hunan Xiangjiang New Area–China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base, a major outcome of the 3rd China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, was officially inaugurated in June 2023. Leveraging Hunan’s advantages in trade cooperation with Africa, the base focuses on the entrepreneurial needs of China-Africa youth, providing specialized incubation services and comprehensive support. It has become a key platform driving youth cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship between China and Africa. The base has already introduced national-level youth innovation and entrepreneurship incubators from eight countries, including Algeria and Zambia, and established connections with over 200 government bodies, business associations, and enterprises across more than 50 African nations. It has organized nearly —both online and offline—such as the China (Changsha)–Nigeria Investment Economic and Trade Promotion Conference, and has tracked over 100 business opportunity projects for the base.
Themed Dialogue Session
In the themed dialogue session, Amacobe Sande, UNICEF Representative to China; Li Wentao, Director of the Institute of African Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations; Tang Xiaoyang, Professor at the Department of International Relations of Tsinghua University; as well as youth and business representatives from the China-Africa Business Council and countries such as Mozambique, Kenya, and Mali, engaged in discussions on “Establishing Mechanisms for China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Cooperation and Promoting Project Collaboration.” The session explored the development of an empowerment ecosystem for China-Africa youth innovation and entrepreneurship, shared practical experiences, and examined viable paths for future collaboration.
On the afternoon of the same day, the Hunan Xiangjiang New Area–China-Africa Youth Matchmaking Conference was also held. Through a variety of formats such as themed dialogues, roundtable discussions, project signings, and exchanges with universities, enterprises, and industrial parks, the event conducted in-depth exploration and matchmaking centered on its theme. It not only advanced pragmatic cooperation between China-Africa youth in the fields of economy, trade, technology, and culture, but also integrated resources for Africa-related trade and innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing significantly to the implementation of the “Ten Partnership Actions”.
The event was co-hosted by the People’s Government of Changsha Municipality and the Management Committee of Hunan Xiangjiang New Area. Participants included representatives from the governments of China and African countries, international organizations, African embassies in China, international chambers of commerce and associations, enterprises, and academic institutions.