Universities help foster Sino-African digital ties

When investors seek guidance on navigating Nigeria's tax regulations or Ghana's land laws, an artificial intelligence-powered system developed by researchers at Hunan University in Changsha, Hunan province, can now provide answers in seconds.

Named Nyansapo, which means "the symbol of wisdom" in the Ghanaian Akan language, the system was designed to address ongoing challenges in China-Africa business and research activities. Launched in 2025 by the university's Institute of African Studies, it integrates China-Africa economic and trade statistics, policies and regulations, academic literature, and industry reports, offering users not only comprehensive information but also regulatory interpretations and market insights. "With the rapid development of Sino-African trade ties, more Chinese investors going overseas need to quickly understand African markets and comply with local regulations," said Xiao Hao, executive vice-president of the institute. "We built this system to break down the 'invisible walls' of information asymmetry, providing a vertical solution specifically for Africa's knowledge systems."

This system is a significant achievement of the Intelligent Lab for China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation at the institute and a tangible result of Hunan University's collaboration with African institutes in both scientific research and talent cultivation. "We have African postdoctoral fellows working in our development group, contributing their deep local knowledge of their home countries," Xiao said.

The postdoctoral program began recruiting in 2024, with the view to attracting African scholars who have completed their doctoral degrees in China and are prepared to work in fields related to China-Africa cooperation. According to Xiao, given that their research is often focused on the economies, education systems, or legal frameworks of their home countries, their unique insights and perspectives connect with those of Chinese researchers.

"The African scholars are a very important group in our university," Xiao said. "Most of them came to China to learn about China, but now they are teaching us about Africa. They form a natural bridge between our cultures." These scholars, who are the first generation of researchers to work on African studies in the AI era, reflect a larger shift in how Chinese and African universities cooperate in the digital age.

In Xiao's view, AI is a tool for leveling the playing field, democratizing technology and knowledge. "As AI is already reshaping education, the methods of learning, teaching, and research must change with it," he said. "We are calling on more African universities to join our efforts in this field."

In a recent initiative, a joint effort to establish a China-Africa university alliance focused on digital development was launched in Changsha. It called for collaboration in areas such as building a digital higher education community, conducting forward-looking joint research, promoting cultural exchange, cultivating internationally minded digital talent, advancing industry-academia-research cooperation, and improving coordination mechanisms.

Jointly signed by eight Chinese universities and 10 African universities, the initiative was launched during the China-Africa University Presidents Forum on Frontiers of Education Development hosted by Hunan University in September. The forum brought together representatives from 15 universities across 13 African countries.

Speaking at the forum, Joelle Perreau, vice-chancellor of the University of Seychelles, said that China-Africa partnerships cannot only support joint digital learning but must also ensure that technology respects cultural diversity and strengthens educators' ability to guide and inspire students.

"Our goal should not merely be making education more digital, but more accessible, relevant, and responsive," she said.

Jiang Chao, vice-president of Hunan University, emphasized that cooperation in higher education is a vital spiritual bond for the China-Africa community with a shared future. "It is important that we work on the basis of equality and mutual learning, carry out joint research in key areas such as digital technology, healthcare, engineering, and trade, strengthen local talent cultivation, and turn the consensus we reach today into real, tangible results," Jiang said.

Contact the writers at limuyun@chinadaily.com.cn