The China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, jointly initiated by the China Science and Technology Exchange Center and the Department of Science and Technology of Hubei Province, has been successfully held for three editions. The 4th China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition has now officially launched. The event is supported by the China-Africa Shanghai International Network (CASIN).

The theme of this competition is "Creating Shared Opportunities for a Better China-Africa Future," focusing on key areas such as digital economy, artificial intelligence, life and health, modern agriculture, green and low-carbon development, and advanced manufacturing. It aims to further stimulate the innovation and entrepreneurship vitality of Chinese and African youth, expand collaboration opportunities in innovation and entrepreneurship, build a platform for exchanges and cooperation between young people from China and Africa, and contribute to economic development and cultural exchanges between the two regions.

Tongji University

Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China

China Science and Technology Exchange Center

Department of Science and Technology of Hubei Province

2. Organized by:

International School of Tongji University

China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Center (CAICC)

African Language Resources Research Center of Tongji University

National College of Elite Engineers of Tongji University

Alliance of Shanghai International Chinese Language Education

International Exchange and Cooperation Office of Tongji University

School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Tongji University

International Students Office of Tongji University

Foundation Of Arican Chinese Culture Npc

3. Special Supported by:

Shenzhen Transsion Holdings Co., Ltd.

4. Supporting Organizations:

China Africa Youth Federation

China-Africa Shanghai International Network

BRE Overseas Education

TusStar

China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings CO.,Ltd

Johannesburg Education Department, South Africa

The competition organizing committee consists of the host, organizers, co-organizer, and supporting organizations. The committee office is located at the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Center. International School（African Language Resources Research Center ), School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship,and National College of Elite Engineers of Tongji University are responsible for organizing the preliminary contest.

The competition is open to participants from China and African countries. Tongji University, as the organizer of the Shanghai division, will oversee submissions from Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong, while also welcoming overseas projects to apply.

Qualified applicants should download and complete the entry form, then submit it via email by September 30, 2025 Projects may not register in multiple divisions—duplicate entries will be disqualified.

1. Africa-Focused Projects– Initiatives planned or implemented in African countries.

2. China-Focused Projects – Initiatives planned or implemented in China.

Note: For this category, applicants must be citizens of African countries or teams that include African members.

Digital economy, artificial intelligence, life sciences, modern agriculture, green & low-carbon technologies, advanced manufacturing, and related fields.

Must be proposed by:

- A tech-based SME registered in China/Africa after January 1, 2020, OR

- Individuals/teams capable of launching a startup.

- Content should involve inventions, patented technologies, or conceptual products/services developed through R&D.

2. Innovation & Viability

Projects must demonstrate technological innovation, market potential, and economic feasibility.

Participants must hold clear intellectual property rights (no disputes over patents/technologies).

3. Participant Criteria

- Age: ≤40 (born after January 1, 1985); must be citizens of China/African nations and comply with competition rules and Chinese laws.

- Language: Proficient in Chinese or English for communication during the competition.

- Team Rules:

Individuals or teams may apply (no dual participation).

Each person/team may submit only one project.

Teams must have 3–6 members; cross-institutional (e.g., universities/companies) and cross-national teams are allowed.

For multinational teams, one country must be designated as the team’s representative nationality.

2. Preliminary Contest (October 2025, Shanghai Division)

1. Tongji University is responsible for organizing the preliminary round of the Shanghai Division, covering projects from Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong. Overseas projects are also welcome to register for the Shanghai Division preliminary round.

2. Eligible applicants should download and complete the competition registration form and submit it to the designated email address, Tongji2023Africa@163.com, by September 30, 2025.

3. The following materials must be submitted by September 30, 2025:

Project poster

Powerpoint

Video (8-minute duration)

Presentation script (Chinese or English)

4. In October 2025, a panel of academic and industry experts will evaluate the projects based on:

Relevance to the theme (25%)

Innovation (25%)

Feasibility (25%)

Scalability (25%)

Winning projects will be selected based on the overall scores.

5. By the end of October 2025, the top teams from the Shanghai Division will advance to the finals.

CAICC will invite qualified individuals and teams to go to Wuhan in November to participate in the final.

First Prize (5 winners): Shanghai Division winning teams advance to the finals

Second Prize (10 winners)

Third Prize (15 winners)

Honorable Mention (multiple winners)

Special Awards in the semifinals:

Best Organization Award

Outstanding Innovation & Entrepreneurship Mentor

Distinguished Contribution Award

All prizes are sponsored by Transsion Holdings.

Notes:

All winning teams from Tongji University will receive priority access to the university’s “the Belt and Road" Special Innovation & Entrepreneurship Funding. External teams must collaborate with Tongji students to apply for funding.

This international competition is recognized by Tongji University as a Category B International Event for postgraduate recommendation scholarships.