Fifty African experts—including university professors, research institute directors, and think tank presidents—participated in the seminar on Chinese-style modernization and African development, held from July 17 to 24, 2025, in Shaanxi Province, China. Upon returning to their respective countries, several participants agreed to contribute to our column “Three Questions for the Participants of the Xi’an Seminar.” Today, we are joined by the Representative from Burundi, Mr. Frédéric MANIRAMBONA.
Hello Mr. Frédéric MANIRAMBONA! You are the representative of Burundi at the Xi’an seminar on “Chinese-style Modernization and the Development of Africa.” Please introduce yourself and share your impressions following this major event focused on implementing the six main objectives and ten strategic partnership actions between China and Africa. I am Frédéric MANIRAMBONA, Assistant Lecturer at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS), one of Burundi’s major public institutions of higher education with academic and pedagogical missions. It is also one of the institutions housed in one of the country’s massive buildings funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China as part of bilateral cooperation between our two nations. In the History Department where I teach, contemporary history courses particularly capture my interest. I am deeply interested in international relations, especially those between China and African countries. The “Seminar on Chinese-style Modernization and African Development” was a valuable and special opportunity for me. First, the stay from July 17 to 24, 2025, was my very first trip to this “continent-country,” which I found well-organized, hospitable, industrious, and highly innovative. Second, it was an occasion to deepen my knowledge of the Middle Kingdom and to bear witness—based on my own observations during various conferences, field visits, and immersive experiences—to the level of modernization in agriculture, industry, energy, tourism, technology, and socio-economic infrastructure. Finally, I realized that China, once under foreign domination and a developing country like Africa, yet responsible for feeding one of the world’s largest populations, has much to inspire our African nations—especially mine. It is therefore of utmost importance that both peoples join efforts to regularly explore ways and means to facilitate experience sharing, learning, and collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
What proposals do you have for a Sino-African cooperation that is closer to the people, from Burundi’s perspective? Regarding Sino-Burundian cooperation, allow me first to say that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1963, the Republic of Burundi has maintained excellent relations of friendship and cooperation with the People’s Republic of China, which have reached their highest historical level—especially during times of crisis in our country. This reflects mutual trust and a shared will to build a better future. To make this cooperation more responsive to the needs of the Burundian population, we propose focusing on three key areas: agriculture, mining, and decentralized cooperation.
First, it is important to highlight that since his rise to the presidency in 2020, His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, has made it his mission that “every mouth has food and every pocket has money.” The majority of the Burundian population depends on agro-pastoral activities, and our country has great potential in this field (favorable climate, fertile land, abundant water, etc.). Transferring Chinese expertise—especially in boosting productivity and agro-food processing—could enable the Burundian government to feed its 12.5 million citizens and export the surplus.
Second, Burundi has a subsoil rich in various types of minerals that could serve as raw materials for Chinese industry. A win-win cooperation in this area could bring significant foreign currency into Burundi’s coffers, which is essential for imports and could serve as a key lever to balance the trade deficit.
Third, since 2025, Burundi has been undertaking administrative reforms with a particular focus on decentralizing local entities, especially communes. In this regard, decentralized cooperation would allow grassroots populations to feel the mutual trust and shared commitment to building a better future between our peoples.
Moreover, Burundi is located in the Great Lakes region, which is plagued by recurring crises. To better uphold the sacred principle of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs—so vital for the sustainability of relations between our two countries—military cooperation in the era of new technologies is of paramount importance.
What do you think of the Xi’an Think Tank initiative for follow-up on the Xi’an seminar? The creation of the Xi’an Think Tank is a commendable initiative that, in my view, embodies the very future of the partnership between China and African countries on two levels. On one hand, as Africans representing our respective countries, the group will further unite us through regular experience-sharing across all corners of our continent. On the other hand, the outcomes of various meetings and ongoing exchanges on Sino-African cooperation could inspire and even guide our national leaders in their strategic choices, thus forming the foundation for strengthening Sino-African cooperation.
Interview by Héribert-Label Élisée ADJOVI / Special correspondent in Xi'an