“Thanks to this export, (Madagascar's) livestock farmers will have a secure market, which will boost their production, increase their income, and earn more foreign currency,“ he said, adding that China's growing demand for Madagascar's mutton and goat meat will boost production for local livestock farmers and speed up the African country's agricultural modernization.

　　ADVANCING TOWARD MODERNIZATION

　　In November 2024, a group of 20 Africans from the agricultural sector visited the Manluanzhan village in southwest China's Yunnan Province to dig into the country's achievements in rural revitalization.

　　During their stay, they saw how structures like disused water towers had been transformed into cafes, and traditional homes converted into modern guesthouses. Participants also engaged in cultural activities such as traditional pottery-making and local martial arts.

　　Nabirye Sarah from the Busoga Consortium for Development tried making a pottery vase. “These hands-on activities showcase the value of local ethnic culture and are very appealing to urban youth and children,“ she said, unveiling her plan to introduce such easily accessible and innovative business projects to young people upon returning to her country.

　　Sarah is among the first cohort under a young rural entrepreneurs' initiative for African countries jointly launched by China Agricultural University and Chinese tech giant Tencent in 2024.

　　Dima Al-Khatib, director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, depicted the initiative as an innovative South-South cooperation model that facilitates knowledge and skills sharing and fosters collaborative innovation between developing countries.

　　“This will enable you to transform your communities, to create lasting change, and drive sustainable development across Africa,“ she said.