In this exclusive interview, North Coast Radio's Lwazi Manqele hosts Professor Liu Baocheng (Center for International Business Ethics, UIBE; CCTV commentator; MBA/MSc Seton Hall, PhD UIBE) on "Bridging Skills: Africa and China's Path to Youth Empowerment." Key Insights from G20 2025 Johannesburg Declaration & China-Africa Partnerships:

• China's high-quality development model mirrors G20 focus on future-ready education, AI, automation, and carbon neutrality—adapting apprenticeships for African technicians, digital operators, and engineers via respectful, context-specific programs.
• Sino-SA mining breakthroughs: Technology transfer, automation upskilling, and mutual mentorship in mineral beneficiation elevate youth from manual labor to high-value roles, boosting local value addition amid critical minerals push.
• Luban Workshops & empowerment: Tiered certifications, bilingual skills, and Belt & Road training in South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya—transforming raw resources into sustainable prosperity, echoing Y20 "Building Bridges" and Compact with Africa.

Post-G20 (Nov 22-23, 2025, Nasrec Expo Centre): Explore youth employment targets, AI for Africa Initiative, and China’s South-South leverage despite US boycott. Perfect for #G20Johannesburg2025, #YouthSkillsDevelopment, #ChinaAfricaPartnerships, #MineralBeneficiationSA, #LubanWorkshop, #AfricaIndustrialization, #VocationalTrainingAfrica, #G20YouthEmpowerment. Timestamps:

Tune in for actionable insights ahead of the 19 February industry summit—perfect for aspiring business owners and startup founders.

Franchising offers a "big brother" support system—you're in business for yourself, but NOT by yourself. Banks like Absa love it: lower risk than startups, thanks to franchisor training and proven brands.

But hurdles? High upfront costs (think premium signage & equipment) and a solid owner’s contribution to avoid debt traps. Success secret: A "bank-ready" plan showing repayment power, your acumen, local competitor intel, and how it'll sustain your livelihood + loan.

Tune in for the full chat—perfect for SA entrepreneurs eyeing franchises! #FranchiseFinance #AbsaBank #Entrepreneurship #NorthCoastRadio

The conversation explores China’s new zero-tariff trade policy for African exports and what it could mean for South African investors, entrepreneurs, and rural communities.

Key topics include:

• China–Africa trade cooperation • Opportunities for the Richards Bay port economy • Lessons from China’s rural revitalisation strategy • Agricultural exports and beneficiation • The role of the Global South in the evolving world economy

This episode is essential listening for business leaders, policymakers, and anyone interested in Africa’s economic future.