NANCHANG, China, Oct. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from Jiangxi International Communication Center(JXICC): On the afternoon of September 29, the Award Ceremony & Entrepreneurship Forum of the Jiangxi China-Africa Gen-Z Youth Entrepreneurship Competition took place in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province.

At the event, two outstanding projects, "The Bamboo Bridges China-Africa: Coolness Co-Creation Project" and "Jiangxi-Based Vertical AIGC Digital Collaboration Platform," took the stage, showcasing how youth from China and Africa are using innovation to address real-world needs and sharing development opportunities through collaboration. Following the presentations, guests presented awards to the winning project teams and outstanding mentors.

During a roundtable discussion, representatives from the competition's judging panel, Jiangxi-based enterprises engaged with Africa, Chinese youth, and university career guidance instructors shared insights under the theme "China-Africa Gen Z: Creating New Opportunities for Digital Innovation and Youth Entrepreneurship." Drawing on their respective experience, they discussed how young people from both regions can harness digital technologies to deepen cooperation, foster innovation, and create new entrepreneurial opportunities.

The awards ceremony marked the completion of the 2026 Gen-Z China-Africa Youth Entrepreneurship Platform Series.

Looking ahead, an African youth representative Emmanuel Edward expressed hope that the competition would continue to grow and provide an even stronger platform for youth entrepreneurship between China and Africa. "I am proud to be part of this China-Africa youth journey," Emmanuel Edward said.

The year 2026 marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. In January, the Jiangxi China-Africa Youth Entrepreneurship Alliance was established in Nanchang, alongside the launch of the Jiangxi China-Africa Gen-Z Youth Entrepreneurship Competition. Since its launch, the competition has received 147 eligible entrepreneurial proposals, with 56 percent submitted by teams composed of both Chinese and African youth.

After multiple rounds of evaluation, 16 high-quality projects advanced to the final. Throughout the competition, participating teams received ongoing support. They refined and improved their business plans based on the realities of both Chinese and African markets, enhancing the feasibility and potential of their projects.

After systematic development and refinement, the selected projects advanced to the final pitch. These projects addressed practical needs in China-Africa cooperation, covering areas ranging from people's livelihoods, such as healthcare and vocational training, to industrial sectors including modern agriculture and mining. They combined innovative thinking with strong potential for real-world application. Following intense competition, six projects won first, second, and third prizes, while 10 projects received excellence awards.