Highlighting the ongoing importance and influence of China in Africa, several African countries have rolled out Mandarin Chinese language programs. Kenya, the most recent, is rolling out a primary school curriculum in 2020, developed jointly with China. South Africa began teaching Mandarin in 2014 and Uganda is planning to make the language mandatory for its high school students. China is encouraging these steps, funding many of the introductions, building the curriculum, and introducing generous scholarships for Mandarin-speaking African students to study in Chinese universities. In addition to economic and academic ties, China is also building cultural institutes like the Confucius Institute, and currently boasts the second highest number of cultural institutes outside of its borders (516), second only to France (931).
Source: Kenya to teach Mandarin Chinese in primary school — Quartz Africa
