Mandarin gains popularity among learners in Burkina Faso

Abdou Aziz Saré, a journalist at BF1 private television, was inspired to learn Mandarin after observing Chinese students mastering African languages like Swahili. He believes Mandarin will become an international language, similar to English, especially in Africa due to China's growing presence and economic influence. This creates a demand for individuals who can bridge communication gaps between African and Chinese entities.

Carolle Sanogo, a student, began learning Mandarin to watch Chinese films without subtitles and to understand Chinese culture. She has represented Burkina Faso at the 9th edition of the Sino-African Youth Gala and sees professional opportunities, such as working as an interpreter for Chinese companies in Burkina Faso. Xiang Ying, a Mandarin teacher in Burkina Faso, notes a continuous increase in learners, including university students, professionals in commerce with China, and airport staff.

He emphasizes that mastering Chinese enhances competitiveness in fields like trade, finance, diplomacy, tourism, and education, facilitating direct communication with Chinese partners and clients, and enriching travel experiences in China and parts of Asia.