On August 26, 2024, 26 students from 12 African countries, including Djibouti, Nigeria and Kenya, gathered in Beijing to attend the graduation ceremony of the second edition of the China Merchants Group’s C-STAR Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program. During the 10-day C-Star program study tour in China, the students visited renowned Chinese enterprises and universities, engaged in extensive exchanges, resources match-making, and project roadshows.
Since its inception in 2022, the C-STAR Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program has covered 22 countries, primarily in Africa, with over 1,000 applicants. A total of 55 outstanding entrepreneurs participated in the study tour, with nearly 40 percent of them being women. The program involves up to 50 enterprises and social organizations in those countries, effectively driving local youth employment and economic development. In September this year, the C-Star program was included in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan.
