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EducationAfrica

Why Mandarin Chinese courses are growing in African schools

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Eunice Wanjiru | Abiodun Jamiu
October 5, 2025

From Lagos to Nairobi, Mandarin is making its way into African classrooms. Nigeria's recent curriculum includes Chinese language courses alongside French and Arabic. What does this mean for a continent where China's influence is expanding?

China has established language schools in almost every African country. Now, Mandarin Chinese courses have started to become part of the curriculum at African schools, most notably in Nigeria.

Is Africa reacting to a shifting global order? Or is this Chinese soft power in action? Watch as DW's Eunice Wanjiru explains what's behind the growth of Mandarin Chinese in Africa.

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