Young African entrepreneurs are emerging as key players in the growing economic partnership between China and Africa, leveraging China’s supportive policies and expanding markets to launch and scale cross-continental businesses. One such entrepreneur is Khalifa A. Sy Diop from Mali, who founded the Mali Business Center in Hunan province in 2024. His center helps foster collaboration between Chinese and Malian businesses by providing mentorship, market insight, and investment support.
“No matter how big a company grows, it can only solve problems for a limited group,” Diop said. “But industrial projects can benefit the future of entire nations. Success doesn’t need my name—I’ll just keep doing my part.” China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for the past 15 years. In 2023 alone, African exports to China reached $170 billion. Recent policy changes, including tailored entrepreneurship visas, are helping young African innovators turn ideas into viable companies in China.
Odjo Rachald from Benin is one example. After graduating from Central South University in Changsha in 2024, he launched a start-up exporting Chinese engineering equipment and solar products to Africa, while importing premium cashews, coffee, and palm oil to China. “Thanks to China’s start-up visa policy, I was able to register my business quickly. Expanding projects here is much easier than I imagined,” Rachald said. Meanwhile, Aboubacar Garba Konte, director of the Mali Project Incubator at the China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship base, emphasized the need for collaboration in key sectors like energy and agriculture.
“In Africa, we face a major electricity deficit,” Konte said. “We’ve signed two strategic contracts—one for solar energy and another for agricultural drones. These projects are about more than business; they’re about youth collaboration, knowledge exchange, and shared technology between Africa and China.” The fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, held last week, showcased the strength of this evolving partnership. During the event, China announced a major tariff removal on African imports and committed $50 billion in investments over the next three years. President Xi Jinping reaffirmed Beijing’s long-term commitment to African development, trade, and industrialization.
