As Tania Romualdo, Cabo Verde’s Ambassador to China, sees it, every single African woman is important to the continent’s development and is already contributing to it. 

"They are part of the national and local governments and participate in political decisions; they are CEOs in very important African and multinational companies," Romualdo said at a conference in the Cameroon Embassy in Beijing organized by the Association of African Students in China to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.  

"African women are also artists, writers, singers, actors, fashion designers. They show Africa’s beauty and potential to the world, they raise their voices for African causes, they are also ambassadors representing their countries and the continent all over the world," the envoy added. 

The conference on African women’s impact on the development of the continent heard African ambassadors, entrepreneurs, media members and students in China also talk about how African women are enhancing the understanding between Chinese and Africans.  

Better understanding 

Raissa Girondin, a 30-year-old Afro-Caribbean, is working as an anchor with China Central TV (CCTV) in Beijing. When she first came to China in 2012, Girondin couldn’t speak Chinese and her colleagues were mostly Chinese. The cultural difference was a big challenge for her. "I keep on learning new things and I still keep on learning every day to adapt to this new environment," she said.  

Though born in Paris, she said she feels deeply African and has a lot of stories on China-Africa relations. "I have interviewed African politicians and also Africans doing things in China. I have also met some Chinese who have invested a lot on the African continent," she said. "I am an African voice at CCTV."

With China-Africa cooperation developing fast and people-to-people contacts increasing, some Western media have a biased coverage of Sino-African relations. "I hope our reporting at CCTV tells the stories objectively, so as to enhance mutual trust and clear up misunderstandings," the anchor said. "We should give more attention and support to African students in China and Africans investing and doing business here."  

Creating opportunities 

Most foreigners arrive in Beijing planning a one- or two-year stay but not South African Tebogo Lefifi. Lefifi came to China eight years ago and decided to become a consultant on China-Africa business relations. 

"I’ve observed that a lot of people who give [good] advice on [doing] business in China have been here 15 or even 20 years. They live here. They understand [China],"she said. Lefifi has made it her mission to be one of those people. She has set up her own China-Africa consultancy Africa@work, which focuses on promoting investment and building market capacity in China. 

In addition, she is working as China chief representative of Brand South Africa, a South African agency marketing the country. "We create opportunities for South African firms to thrive in the China market as well as market and position South Africa as a destination for Chinese firms," she explained.  

Lefifi thinks there are a lot of opportunities for Africans to come to China. "[With] our skills, capacities and whatever we do, we need to widen that bridge," she said. 

Lefifi believes women have advantages in the business world. "Women tend to balance things and naturally care about sustainability and long-term goals, which results in profitability," she remarked. "Africa has the most amazing and brave women. African women have the skills and capacity to make it in Beijing, in business or any other field." 

More exchanges  

The speakers looked forward to more exchanges with Chinese women, saying they can learn a lot from one another. 

"Chinese women are entrepreneurial, very good at networking and focused," commented Lefifi, based on her eight years’ experience in China.  

On March 1, China’s first Anti-domestic Violence Law came into effect, sparking discussions at the Fourth Sessions of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, China’s highest political advisory body, and the 12th National People’s Congress, the top legislature. They caught Lefifi’s attention.  

"We have legislation protecting women against [domestic] violence for many years while it’s new in China. Chinese women can learn from South African women how to use the law to protect themselves," she told ChinAfrica. 

Empowering youth 

Judith Onyishi is an international business administration student doing her Master’s at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. The Nigerian student is also one of the facilitators of the China chapter of Africa 2.0, a pan-African civil society organization of emerging and established African leaders. 

The China chapter has started a women mentorship program. Women entrepreneurs and professionals are invited to share their experiences and success stories in China to inspire younger people.  

Onyishi thinks mentorship is an important aspect of young people’s growth. "Our program provides mentorship opportunities for young African students. They can learn from the mistakes made by the speakers and won’t make the same mistake," she said. "We also want African women living in China to know what’s happening here and make the best use of the opportunities." 

Abdoulaye Fall, Senegalese Ambassador to China, had a word of advice for the African women living in China: "Be confident, be committed, develop your network and enhance the mentorship between you and somebody with more expertise to better involve yourself in various areas for the development of Africa."

Lefifi encourages African students who graduate from Chinese institutions to have a career related to China-Africa. "My advice is that Beijing has opportunities and you need to look for them. Find opportunities, or you have to create them. Don’t wait for somebody to come and give it to you," she said. "Do what you are passionate about. There is no scarcity of opportunity doing what you love." 

Ambassador Romualdo encouraged African students in China to be part of Africa’s development. "You are working on your education, obtaining the degrees and special skills so much needed to develop our Africa. You are studying for yourselves [as well as] for the women who don’t have the same opportunity," she said, adding that she hoped they would "do their share to make the continent and the world of tomorrow a better place."  

Grace Kilolo, a 21-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, often attends the international festivals organized by Chinese universities in Beijing. "Through African dances, food and clothes, I hope the Chinese can learn more about our people and culture," she said. She felt inspired after listening to the speakers. "I think I will be more positive when dealing with challenges in school and life," Kilolo said.