African Youth Turn to Zhejiang for Vocational Education Opportunities

More African students are heading to Zhejiang province in eastern China to pursue vocational education, particularly in booming sectors such as e-commerce. This trend reflects the growing cooperation between China and Africa in the field of education, with Zhejiang emerging as a hub for international educational exchanges.

Jinhua University of Vocational Technology, located in Jinhua city, has been at the forefront of this cooperation. The university has been sending out admission letters to numerous Rwandan students, with courses set to begin in March. The students will enroll in various majors, including e-commerce, electrical automation, and more, and are expected to graduate by December 2025. 

Huang Xin, deputy dean of the university's School of International Education, highlighted that the training programs and teaching plans are continuously refined based on feedback from previous batches of students. In April 2024, Jinhua University welcomed its first batch of 30 Rwandan students under the 'Future of Africa China-Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Plan' project. These students, majoring in fields like electrical automation and e-commerce, will graduate soon. The university aims to enroll a new group of Rwandan students each year for the next five years, reflecting the strong demand for vocational education among African youth.

One of the standout students from Rwanda, Uwamahoro Alphonsine, is currently majoring in e-commerce at Jinhua University. Alphonsine has been particularly focused on e-commerce and has taken part in practice sessions where she imitates livestreaming sales slogans in fluent Chinese while promoting products in a simulated broadcasting studio. The skills she has gained in the classroom have helped her further her entrepreneurial aspirations. 

Before coming to Jinhua, Alphonsine had already considered starting her own e-commerce business, but she lacked clear direction. Thanks to the university's specialized courses and practical training in live-streaming, Alphonsine feels more equipped to turn her dream into reality. In her free time, she visits women’s clothing stores in the city and Yiwu International Trade City, a global wholesale hub. Seeing the affordable and stylish clothing available in China has motivated her to bring these products back to Rwanda to introduce to local consumers, particularly young women.

Qian Xiangming, the dean of Musanze International College at Jinhua University, noted that many foreign students, particularly from Rwanda, choose to return to their home countries after completing their studies. The university has established connections with Chinese companies operating in Rwanda, with plans to assist graduates in securing jobs or launching their own businesses in Rwanda, further strengthening ties between China and African nations.

Zhejiang’s growing reputation as a vocational education destination for African students comes as the region has established itself as a powerhouse in e-commerce, trade, and technological development. Yiwu, a key city in Zhejiang, is often referred to as the 'world's supermarket' for its enormous exports of small commodities. It is also home to Yiwu Industrial and Commercial College, which has expanded its educational footprint in Africa by opening an African campus, the Morocco Yiwu Business School, in October 2023. 

The Moroccan campus, which focuses on international trade, big data technology, and cross-border e-commerce, enrolled its first cohort of 26 students in fall 2023, and 33 students in 2024. The students spend their first two years in Morocco and the final year in Yiwu, where they gain hands-on experience in a thriving global trade hub. 

This partnership highlights Zhejiang's ability to leverage its strengths in commerce and technology to meet the vocational education needs of African youth. The region’s efforts to engage with Africa are not limited to Rwanda or Morocco. In recent years, Zhejiang has launched several initiatives to promote educational exchanges. Jinhua and Musanze, for example, have focused on training talent for key industries in Africa. Their 'Chinese Language plus Vocational Skills' education program has already provided skills training to over 30,000 people, benefiting the African workforce and contributing to the continent's economic development.

These educational initiatives have not only improved access to high-quality vocational training but also fostered significant cultural exchanges between China and Africa. The city of Musanze in Rwanda and Jinhua have even established a sister-city relationship, marking a milestone in bilateral cooperation.

The partnership between Zhejiang and African nations serves as an example of how vocational education can drive economic growth and job creation, both in Africa and China. As more African students turn to Zhejiang for specialized training, the region is cementing its role as a key player in Africa’s vocational education landscape, while also contributing to deeper ties between the two regions.

Zhejiang's initiatives align with China's broader foreign policy goals, particularly the Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to enhance cooperation and foster mutual prosperity with countries across Asia, Africa, and beyond. By investing in education, Zhejiang is not only empowering African youth but also helping to build long-lasting economic and cultural connections that will benefit both regions for years to come.