African youth representatives take a group photo to commemorate the occasion at the closing ceremony of the "C Star" program on September 23, 2025.

The closing ceremony of the "2025 C Star Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program" and the Youth Leadership Dialogue were successfully held at Peking University on Tuesday. African young participants shared significant insights gained through the program at the ceremony, highlighting China's advanced technology, efficient operational systems, and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, and lauded the program as a transformative platform that broadened their perspectives, sparked innovative thinking, and laid a strong foundation for their future entrepreneurial endeavors in Africa.
 
The program is committed to providing platform support, resource connection, and growth guidance for global young entrepreneurs with aspirations, addressing various challenges on their entrepreneurial journey, and helping more youth entrepreneurial projects take root and thrive. It now covers more than 27 countries and regions, mainly in Africa, has attracted over 1,500 young entrepreneurs, and involves nearly 90 entities including Chinese enterprises, venture capital institutions, and industry associations. 
 
"C Star" is an overseas public welfare program funded by China Merchants Foundation and led by China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings for implementation. The Global Times Foundation is one of the co-organizers of the program's closing ceremony.

African youth representatives receive commemorative plaques of the "C Star" program at the closing ceremony on September 23, 2025.

Jiang Tiefeng, Vice General Manager of China Merchants Group, pointed out at the closing ceremony that the program has made remarkable achievements in implementing the Global Development Initiative, supporting African entrepreneurship competitions, and excelling in vertical business fields.
 
It has been included in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan and the Concept Paper of 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, contributing to building a bridge of friendship for Chinese and African youth to co-create, co-build, and share in higher-level and broader fields. The program aims to create a diversified, highly enabling, and sustainable "Nest of Dreams," encouraging young people from all countries to contribute entrepreneurial outcomes to a better future in the fertile ground of the times, Jiang noted.
 
Dong Zhiyong, Vice President of Peking University, stated at the closing ceremony that during the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, China and African countries agreed to work together toward an even stronger community with a shared future. China-Africa cooperation enjoys broad prospects, and young people are the main force driving development. 
 
Hodan Osman Abdi, Ambassador of Somalia to China, noted that the "C Star" program helps enhance the innovation awareness of African youth in fields such as technology, agriculture, and culture. She encouraged the participants to seize opportunities, maintain resilience, and actively apply the learned experience to address local challenges and shape the future of Africa.
 
Lynette Mwende Ndile, Deputy Ambassador of Kenya to China, also emphasized the influence and sustainability of the "C Star" program at the closing ceremony. She stated that the program has long supported the development of African youth and expressed the hope that there will be more opportunities for China-Africa people-to-people exchanges in the future, enabling young people to empower Africa's development with Chinese experience. 
 
Bai Long, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times and Chairman of the Global Times Foundation, used a set of key words - "great potential" and "practical capabilities" - to describe the program's achievements at the closing ceremony. "Since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was proposed 12 years ago, more than 50 African countries have successively joined the BRI. From infrastructure projects that turn 'impassable barriers into smooth roads' to "small and beautiful" livelihood projects, China-Africa cooperation holds great potential. Today, through online training camps, on-site study tours, and other methods, the "C Star" program supports African and international youth in effectively connecting with China's innovation and entrepreneurship resources," he said.

"There is an African proverb that goes, 'a friend is someone you share the path with.' From your entrepreneurial achievements and sparks of ideas, we see the future of China-Africa relations and China's international cooperation, as well as a broad path that we can take hand in hand. The 'C Star' program walks alongside youth, the world, and the future. We believe we will continue to witness the 'C Star' program discover and support more Chinese and foreign young 'fellow travelers' in their youth," Bai noted.

A young entrepreneur Sero from Benin, representing all participants, thanked the "C Star" program for providing platforms and resources. He stated that the innovative inspiration he gained during his trip to China is like a "seed," and he will plant this "seed" on the African continent to shape a better future for Africa.
 
During a 10-day China tour, participants visited Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen, and Beijing, engaging with leading enterprises, universities, and government organizations to foster cooperation, explore new models, and promote youth innovation for win-win development. 
 
Mary Nyaruai Muriithi from Kenya, whose company addresses menstrual health challenges, praised the "C Star" program as a "blueprint for world-changing entrepreneurs." Her first visit to China, including tours of Huawei tech firm, exposed her to advanced technology and efficient systems.
 
"Resource-rich countries should broaden our horizons. Chinese modernization and efficiency shocked me, and I'll apply these insights to benefit Kenya," she told the Global Times. 
 
She stated that the opportunities and sincere assistance provided by China are different from the "white savior mentality" of the West and some hypocritical NGOs in Kenya.
 
Oluwatoyin Emmanuela Sanwo, CEO of Nigeria's Driver Logistics, aims to expand across Africa via the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) praising China's development model for its clear vision and youth-led innovation. He told the Global Times that he believes Africa should emulate China's success, including attracting foreign investment for capital and knowledge transfer. The "C Star" program facilitated connections with Chinese entrepreneurs and peers from Tunisia and Morocco, building a cross-regional network to address market challenges. 
 
At the Youth Leadership Dialogue held after the closing ceremony, scholars and representatives from Peking University, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, and the Global Times conducted in-depth discussions and exchanges with the participants around two topics: "Digital Intelligence Empowerment and Local Innovation" and "Cultural Integration and Consumption Upgrade."
 
These participants expressed their expectation to further integrate the experience gained from the program with local practices, strengthen cross-border cooperation with Chinese partners, and jointly unleash greater economic vitality to contribute to the sustainable development of both China and Africa.