Ethiopian, Chinese academic institutions sign MoU to collaborate in leadership dev’t

Addis Ababa, April 27, 2024 (FBC) – The African Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX) and China’s Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today.

AFLEX President Zadig Abraha and AIBO President Sun Zhonghe signed the agreement, ENA reported.

The agreement which is expected to quickly take effect after the signing paves the way for increased collaboration in leadership development and enable AFLEX to become China’s training base for Africans.

It also establishes a framework for the two institutions to share information, knowledge, and best practices in leadership training.

Zadig said on the occasion that the agreement is instrumental in fostering knowledge exchange and experience sharing between the two institutions.

We envision AFLEX becoming a key training base for African leaders in China-related fields, Zadig revealled, adding this will have various academic and economic benefits especially for Ethiopia.

“This is also another demonstration of the Ethio-China strategic partnership and cooperation that will catalyze overall bilateral relations,” he added.

AIBO, also known as the Training Center of the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) of China, holds a unique position. As the only educational institution directly affiliated with China’s MOFCOM, AIBO plays a vital role in shaping international trade and economic cooperation initiatives, Zadig noted.

AIBO President stressed the MoU’s potential to strengthen strategic academic and economic partnerships between Ethiopia and China.

The agreement represents a critical step towards collaboration between our leadership institutions, he stated.

This partnership between AFLEX and AIBO is expected to provide African leaders with enhanced access to China-focused leadership training programs, fostering a deeper understanding of the economic landscape between the two countries and with Africa.

With its focus on leadership excellence, AFLEX is well-positioned to leverage AIBO’s expertise and create a bridge for future generations of Ethiopian and African leaders to navigate evolving issues.