By Cremilda Macuácua, China Africa News
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — January 13, 2026 — With the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges unfolding in 2026, China and Africa have ushered in a new chapter in civilizational dialogue, shaping shared development and future.
Leaders gathered at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa on January 8 for the official launch of the year, where China’s top diplomat delivered a message of deepening bonds and mutual understanding as the two sides marked seven decades of diplomatic ties.
This year will see a wide spectrum of activity designed to bring people closer across continents. Nearly 600 cultural and exchange events are planned, reflecting a consensus reached at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing and anchoring the year in a theme of consolidating friendship while pursuing shared modernization goals.
Across 2026, youth gatherings, innovation forums and leadership dialogues will create recurring occasions for young Africans and Chinese alike to connect. The China-Africa Youth Festival, Youth Culture Forum and Future Leaders’ Dialogue are expected to draw participants keen to build networks and share ideas on entrepreneurship, governance and technology. Programs such as the youth innovation and entrepreneurship competition and the China-Africa Youth Space Alliance aim to turn conversation into practical opportunity.
Culture and arts will be another focal point. Observers anticipate exhibitions and festivals that celebrate film, publishing and tourism, including exchange months featuring the Cultural Silk Road and audiovisual screenings that spotlight creative work from both regions. Photo shows and literary events are slated to take place in capitals from Beijing to Pretoria, offering platforms for storytellers, artists and cultural professionals to engage directly with audiences.
Efforts to deepen ties will not stop at culture. People-to-people exchanges also aim to touch public health, livelihoods and governance. Joint seminars on poverty reduction and development, programs that expand medical teams and livelihood support initiatives are part of the calendar, reflecting an intent to translate goodwill into tangible improvements in people’s daily lives. Forums bringing together think tanks and media groups on both continents will push forward discussions on national governance, modernization experiences, and how best to share those lessons.
China and African governments also see this year as a chance to broaden the social and economic benefits of an already deepening partnership. Expanding education collaborations and vocational training — with tens of thousands of training opportunities focused on women and youth is intended to help build skills that align with each region’s development priorities. There are expectations that expanded tourism ties, more cross-continental cultural awareness and increased interaction among artists and professionals will contribute directly to economic growth in sectors outside traditional trade and infrastructure cooperation.
The Year of People-to-People Exchanges is unfolding against a backdrop of wider cooperation frameworks, including trade, infrastructure and digital education programs that have been part of long-term China-Africa collaboration. Experts say the concentrated focus on cultures, youth and everyday exchanges this year could strengthen the human dimension of those ties, creating deeper public support for future joint initiatives and encouraging a new generation to push forward shared modernization goals.
As activities roll out from Addis Ababa to capitals across Africa and in cities in China, the emphasis is on experiences that bring people together, build understanding and demonstrate the benefits of cooperation beyond high-level diplomacy. If the early momentum is any indication, the 2026 Year will be remembered not just for the sheer number of events but for the connections they foster and the tangible benefits they bring to people on both sides of the relationship.
