AUC-Esti Commissioner H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona Visits China to Strengthen AU-China Collaboration at Innovation Conference

The head of the African Union's Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation sector, H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, is heading a si...

The head of the African Union's Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation sector, H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, is heading a six-member team to Wuhan, China, between November 19-21, 2025, to attend the China-Africa Innovation for Sustainable Development Conference. The group consists of individuals from the Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation Division; the Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry, and Mining Division; and the Women, Gender, Development, and Youth Directorate, highlighting the African Union Commission's broad strategy for enhancing AU-China collaboration.

The delegation arrived in Wuhan and began a rigorous schedule of activities the following day. The mission kicked off with a tour of the Wuhan Botanical Garden, a leading research center affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences that is home to more than 10,000 plant species, including rare and threatened ones. The visit offered important perspectives on China's methods of scientific research and environmental protection, laying the groundwork for more in-depth conversations about Africa-China cooperation.

H.E. Professor Banyankimbona gave the first speech at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, focusing on the topic "Co-Creating Africa's Innovation Future: Bridging Chinese Excellence and African Ingenuity through Open Science and Youth Partnership." His talk highlighted three key areas to enhance cooperation: Open Science for Inclusive Innovation, seeing young people as builders of tomorrow, and maintaining ethics, independence, and mutual respect in tech collaborations.

At this pivotal moment of opportunity, we need enhanced cooperation between Africa and China," the Commissioner said. "Africa, through its ambitious STISA 2034, is executing a continental plan to create a knowledge-based society. China's impressive leadership in digital infrastructure, green technology, artificial intelligence, and open science creates opportunities for significant synergies.

In addition to the Commissioner's speech, Mr. Mohamed Kimbugwe from the Women, Gender, Development, and Youth Directorate participated in the China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, actively backing young innovators and entrepreneurs who are driving technological advancements across both regions.

The group attended the Welcome Banquet titled "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization Through Innovation Cooperation," enhancing the connections between the people of Africa and China. The mission follows the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the African Union and China's Ministry of Science and Technology, which establishes collaboration via joint laboratories, research centers, and organized exchanges of scientists and academics.

In the coming days, the delegation will keep engaging in high-level discussions about innovation for sustainable development and will examine possibilities for strengthening Africa-China collaboration in science, technology, and innovation. After the activities in Wuhan, the delegation will travel to Beijing for a strategic meeting with H.E. Mr. Yin Hejun, Minister of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, aiming to further develop bilateral cooperation structures and investigate practical approaches for executing the AU-China science and technology partnership. This mission reflects the commitments stated in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan for 2025-2027, which highlights promoting mobility for early-career researchers and youth-oriented innovation forums to support Africa's 1.4 billion people, more than 70% of whom are under 35.

For more details, kindly get in touch with:

1. Ms. Claudette Chancelle BILAMPASSI MOUTSATSI | ESTI Department - Pan African University | African Union Commission | E-mail:BilampassiC@africanunion.org| Phone: +251 11 518 2014 / +251 11 5182518 |

2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail:GamalK@africanunion.org

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Tagged: Sustainable Development, Africa, Innovation

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