Ningbo, China – African professionals participating in the Global Luban Workshop in Ningbo have called on their governments to embrace strategies inspired by China’s development model to address pressing issues of unemployment and insecurity across the continent.
The two-week program, hosted by Ningbo Polytechnic University, focused on vocational training, technology transfer, and industrial upgrading. Delegates from various African countries emphasised that China’s approach demonstrates how innovation, structured policy, and community engagement can drive economic and social transformation.
Siaka Gomez from The Gambia stated, “If we want to reduce unemployment and insecurity, Africa must deliberately invest in technological advancement. That is the lesson we are taking from China.”
Shandulo Maphorisa of Botswana highlighted the role of technology in improving both governance and daily life, noting, “Technology is not just about machines, it is about improving people’s lives and making societies safer.”
There was also strong emphasis on the need for internal change. Musu Monica-Dean from Sierra Leone argued, “Africa must reorient its people. Without a change of attitude, even the best technology will not achieve results.”
Ugandan participant Nandala Banabas stressed that nation-building should guide Africa’s future, while Tanzanian delegate Evance Frederick praised the workshop’s practical value: “This program has shown us how innovation and structured policies can transform industries and create jobs. It’s an experience we should replicate back home.”
Nigerian representative Yahaya Ndambabo added that while learning from global examples, African nations must tailor strategies to their unique contexts.
The workshop included a mix of classroom sessions, company visits, and cultural exchanges in Ningbo and Shanghai. An interpreter working with the group noted the delegates’ “remarkable eagerness to learn and adapt.”
The initiative has been viewed as a potential model for how African nations can leverage vocational education and technology transfer to support sustainable, long-term development.
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