African Delegates urge adoption of Chinese model to tackle insecurity, unemployment

African delegates attending the Global Luban Workshop in Ningbo have urged leaders across the continent to draw inspiration from China’s approach to addressing insecurity and unemployment through technology and vocational education.

The two-week training programme, organised by Ningbo Polytechnic University, is aimed at equipping African professionals with technological and vocational skills while supporting industrial transformation across Africa.

Siaka Gomez from The Gambia stressed the importance of prioritising technology as a catalyst for economic growth.

“If we want to reduce unemployment and insecurity, Africa must deliberately invest in technological advancement. That is the lesson we are taking from China,” Gomez said.

Botswana’s Shandulo Maphorisa agreed, noting that China’s model, including the use of surveillance systems and active engagement of citizens in the workforce, could be adapted to African contexts.

“Technology is not just about machines; it is about improving people’s lives and making societies safer,” Maphorisa observed.

Other participants emphasised the need for a continental mindset shift. Musu Monica-Dean from Sierra Leone argued that hard work and patriotism must be promoted at every level of society.

“Africa must reorient its people. Without a change of attitude, even the best technology will not achieve results,” she cautioned.

Ugandan delegate Nandala Banabas echoed her views, stressing that commitment to nation-building should underpin Africa’s development agenda.

For Tanzania’s Evance Frederick, the workshop offered tangible lessons:

“This programme has shown us how innovation and structured policies can transform industries and create jobs. It’s an experience we should replicate back home,” he said.

Nigeria’s Yahaya Ndambabo added that while African nations can learn from global examples, each country must design strategies tailored to its specific needs.

The workshop combined classroom lectures, company visits, and cultural tours in Ningbo and Shanghai. An interpreter accompanying the African delegation praised the participants’ eagerness to learn and adapt new ideas to their national realities.

Commenting on the initiative, this correspondent noted that the Global Luban Workshop “provides a template for how Africa can harness vocational education and technology transfer to achieve sustainable development.”