China’s Political Training School in Tanzania: A Strategy to Shape African Politics

• China established the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Tanzania in 2022, costing $40 million.

• The school aims to shape future African political leaders following Chinese governance principles.

• It promotes a governance model based on the centrality of the ruling party and its control over the state.

• China has supported African independence movements, military endeavours, and governance structures.

• China’s public diplomacy includes’study tours’, university lectures, visits to provincial governments, and cultural exchanges.

• China is investing in infrastructure and refurbishing existing institutions, such as the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology in Zimbabwe.

• China’s approach to Africa is based on decades of patient diplomacy.

• China nurtures opposition parties to safeguard its interests in Africa