China Enhancing Education Development in Africa: A Case Study of Cameroon

Abstract

This paper analyzes China's new approaches of education aid to Africa through a case study of Cameroon. China’s education aid includes higher education, vocational training, Chinese language instruction in developing countries, school construction, and collaboration with multilateral organizations. In recent years, China’s university scholarships and vocational training programs have grown sharply, as has Chinese-language instruction. Cameroon has been one of the countries that have had a relatively extended cooperation with China. Four types of Chinese education aid to Africa are illustrated by this paper: (i) Confucius Institutes, which are providing language and culture-related training in host countries; (ii) longer term scholarships and short-term training for Africans in China; (iii) school construction; and (iv) stand-alone education projects. By analyzing how these three different types of aid are taking place in Cameroon, various and apparently contradictory strategies and discourses materialize.

Keywords: Africa, China, Cameroon, Capacity building, Education