A student from Burkina Faso wins a Chinese language competition and will represent her country in the Beijing finals.

Mohamed Ragab

Student Cecile Kafando won first place in the 25th edition of the “Bridge to Chinese” competition in Burkina Faso, thus securing her country’s representation in the global finals hosted by China, an achievement that reflects the growing interest in learning Chinese language and culture among African youth.

The competition was held on June 16, 2026, at the University of Au Nouvelle in the capital, Ouagadougou, with the participation of a number of university students who competed in linguistic, cultural and artistic tests aimed at measuring the level of proficiency in the Chinese language and the participants’ knowledge of Chinese culture and civilization.

Competition between students from several universities

The competition was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Burkina Faso, in cooperation with the Confucius Institute at Nazi Boni University and Au Nouvelle University. The final round saw the participation of six students from different universities, including Nazi Boni University, Au Nouvelle University and Polytechnic University.

At the end of the competition, Cecile Kafando, a third-year student in the English department, succeeded in winning first place and receiving a cash prize of 150,000 African francs in addition to the championship cup, while Ibrahim Kabore came in second place.

The winner confirmed that the competition was fierce among all participants, noting that the level of the contestants was extremely high. She said she felt very happy after winning, especially since all participants demonstrated outstanding abilities and skills throughout the various stages of the competition.

One world... one family

This year’s edition was held under the slogan «One World, One Family,» a slogan that reflects the competition’s goals of promoting cultural understanding and communication between peoples through learning the Chinese language.

The competition included several key components, such as delivering speeches in Chinese, presenting artistic performances, and answering cultural questions related to Chinese language, history, customs, and traditions. The competition also provided participants with an opportunity to demonstrate their language skills and their ability to engage with Chinese culture.

A tool to promote cultural exchange

The “Bridge to Chinese” competition is one of the most prominent educational and cultural initiatives organized by China around the world to spread the Chinese language and promote cultural exchange with various countries, especially in the African continent, which has witnessed a remarkable expansion in Chinese language education programs in recent years.

Thousands of students from around the world participate in the competition every year, giving winners the opportunity to visit China and learn about its culture and educational institutions firsthand, as well as participate in the international finals.

Chinese cultural and martial arts performances

The closing ceremony featured a variety of artistic performances, along with a demonstration of Chinese Kung Fu arts, which added a distinctive cultural atmosphere to the event.

The winner of the previous edition also gave a presentation about his experience in China after participating in the global competition, highlighting the educational and cultural benefits he gained during that trip.

Observers believe that such events contribute to strengthening cultural and educational relations between China and African countries, and open new horizons for students wishing to learn the Chinese language and benefit from academic and cultural exchange opportunities.