At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech sparked a lively dialogue among young African tech leaders. Alumni from Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program—hailing from Ethiopia, Morocco, Algeria, and Benin—shared how Xi’s emphasis on green development, gender equality, and modernization resonated deeply with their aspirations back home 🌱.
Green Dreams, Shared Futures
Ethiopian alum Liya Tsegaye highlighted Xi’s focus on eco-friendly growth, aligning it with her country’s ‘green legacy’ initiative. \"We’re planting 20 billion trees by 2030. Collaborating with China on clean energy could accelerate that,\" she said. Meanwhile, Morocco’s Karim Idrissi praised China’s renewable energy investments: \"Solar power isn’t just technology—it’s empowerment for rural communities.\" ⚡
Modernization Without Losing Roots
The discussion also tackled balancing progress with cultural preservation. Algerian participant Amira Belkacem stressed vocational training as a bridge: \"Tech skills let us honor traditions while building futures.\" Benin’s Koffi Agossa added that China’s development model offers \"a roadmap, not a blueprint\"—a nod to respecting local contexts 🌍.
Youth Leading the Charge
Gender equality emerged as a recurring theme, with participants applauding Xi’s call for inclusive growth. \"When women code, economies transform,\" noted Tsegaye, citing Ethiopia’s rising female tech entrepreneurs. The conversation closed with optimism: as FOCAC turns 24, these young voices see a future where innovation and partnership fuel a shared global community 🤝.
