A new China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence was launched at the Federal Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institute (FTVETI) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Nov 4.

Attendees at the inauguration ceremony of the China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Nov 4 [Photo provided to tianjin.chinadaily.com]

The center is a flagship project in trilateral cooperation between China, African nations, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). It seeks to drive sustainable industrialization, enhance agricultural modernization and support skill development initiatives throughout Africa.

In addition, with support from the Ethiopian Luban Workshop, an EPIP (Engineering Practice Innovation Project) Vocational Education Training Center will be established to help enhance instructor skills.

China's Ambassador to Ethiopia Chen Hai congratulated the center at the inauguration ceremony. He expressed hope that the center would serve as a foundation for the 10 partnership actions for China and Africa to jointly advance modernization, bringing practical benefits to Ethiopia and the broader African continent.

UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller said the center will serve as a hub for advancing agricultural, renewable energy and digital technologies, providing valuable support not only to Ethiopia but to other African nations.

Speakers at the event expressed gratitude to China for its support in establishing the center, highlighting the importance of maximizing each party's strengths to implement training programs and projects with significant local and regional impact. By fostering innovation and skill-building, the center aims to accelerate Africa's pathway to sustainable development and greater self-reliance.

Attendees also include Ethiopia's State Minister Ministry of Industry Hassan Mohammed, Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia Yang Yihang, director-general of FTVETI Biruk Kedir and Jiang Jiang, head of the Ethiopian Luban Workshop.