Institute urged to align strategies with Vision 2050

ZANZIBAR: A NEW initiative aimed at empowering young rural entrepreneurs across Africa has been launched in Zanzibar, marking the conclusion of a regional training programme and the start of a broader Global South effort.

The Global South Youth for Rural Entrepreneurs Initiative (GSYREI) builds on the successes of a joint Tanzania-Uganda pilot, offering training, mentorship and technology support to rural youth over the next three years.

Speaking as Guest of Honour, Zanzibar’s Minister for Trade and Industrial Development, Mr Omar Said Shaaban, described the initiative as a milestone in the region’s fight against unemployment and poverty.

“This is not the end, but a stepping stone,” said Shaaban.

“With this new project, we are expanding our vision to empower rural youth through training, mentorship, technology and market access.”

He praised the efforts of various stakeholders—including the China Agricultural University (CAU), Tencent Corporation and development agencies—for their contribution to creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa.

Emphasising education, sustainable practices and innovation, the Minister urged young entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities presented by the GSYREI to transform their communities and drive inclusive growth.

Also speaking at the event, Tencent Vice-President Xi Dan reflected on the journey that began with China’s rural revitalisation efforts, noting that similar strategies were now being adapted for African realities.

He said Tencent, through its “Tech for Good” strategy, remains committed to sharing lessons and building platforms that bring meaningful change to underserved communities.

“Whether in China or across the Global South, the shortage of skilled talent in rural areas is a common challenge,” said Xi.

“The CAU-Tencent initiative has already trained tens of thousands of ‘rural CEOs’ in China. Now, we are proud to extend this approach to Africa to support youth leadership and enterprise.”

He added that the success of the pilot phase in Africa, particularly the engagement of graduating fellows, had encouraged Tencent to scale up its involvement, making rural transformation a core pillar of its global development strategy.

The event also featured remarks from Mr Li Qianghua, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Zanzibar, who hailed the programme as a model of South-South Cooperation and a symbol of China-Africa solidarity.

“Today’s graduates are not just entrepreneurs, they are torchbearers of rural transformation,” said Mr Li.

“By applying China’s successful experiences in poverty alleviation, e-commerce and green technology, they can turn rural areas into engines of innovation and progress.”

He encouraged the youth to use the knowledge gained as a seed for creating locally rooted, tech-driven solutions that align with Africa’s development vision under the AU Agenda 2063.

The CAU-Tencent WeVillage Young Rural Revitalisation Programme, which concluded at the event, trained dozens of youths from Tanzania and Uganda in agribusiness, digital trade and sustainable rural development. It now forms the foundation for GSYREI’s expanded reach across the Global South.