The African media group visits the 2026 World Intelligence Expo. [Photo/Jinyun App]

The 2026 World Intelligence Expo took place in Tianjin from May 26 to 29, with journalists from 22 African countries gathering in the city for a media tour and exploring the latest developments in China's intelligent industries and innovation.

Among the participants was Mohamed Chakib Saad, a reporter from Djibouti's La Nation newspaper. His visit carried special significance because Djibouti is home to Africa's first Luban Workshop, a vocational education initiative pioneered by Tianjin.

Launched in 2019, the Djibouti Luban Workshop has become a symbol of China-Africa educational cooperation. The project provides vocational skills training tailored to local development needs and supports talent cultivation for key industries. Over the years, it has received widespread attention in Djibouti and has been featured in local media on numerous occasions.

During his visit to the Tianjin Luban Workshop Experience Center, Mohamed met Djiboutian students studying in Tianjin and spoke with teachers who helped establish and operate the Djibouti Luban Workshop. They introduced innovative teaching methods, including smart railway training equipment and virtual reality systems designed to prepare skilled workers for the future development of the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway.

Mohamed also experienced a high-speed rail driving simulator and received a model of a Chinese high-speed train as a gift. Expressing his appreciation, he encouraged his Chinese friends to visit Djibouti again and said he hopes that one day the country will develop its own high-speed rail.

To date, Tianjin has established 12 Luban Workshops across Africa, helping strengthen educational cooperation, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties between China and the continent.