Chinese Premier Li Keqiang left for Africa Sunday for an 8-day tour of Ethiopia, Nigeria, Angola and Kenya, bringing economic support as well as enhancing the bilateral relations between Africa and China.

Erastus Mwencha, deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission, said Li’s four-nation visit will be a “game changer” in that the leaders are expecting much from China and what it could bring on the table.

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Mwencha said leaders of the African Union are expecting economic opportunities from China as both nations discuss issues of industrialization, infrastructure, employment and poverty eradication, which are expected to be high on the agenda during Premier Li’s visit.

African countries have tremendously benefited from China’s economic growth and are looking forward to greater cooperation to address their problems, said Mwencha.

Mwencha said China has extended support to many of its organizations and Africa is now looking at regional programs in which China can lend support “in a very concrete manner.”

Africa has benefited from the economic growth of China, and African countries are looking at greater cooperation to help address their challenges, said Mwencha.

Carrying out mega projects in infrastructure, railway, power and manufacturing, Chinese companies have boosted the fast economic growth of Ethiopia, said Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Saturday.

African leaders said they are expecting China to ease the region’s unemployment status, especially for the women and youth. Reports said Africa is hoping that China transfers its industries and manufacturing plants to Africa to solve the region’s unemployment rate.

Mwencha said China has been very supportive of the mediation in Sudan and has helped the people on the ground and those countries which just emerged from conflict.

Mwencha said China has been supporting countries that have emerged from conflicts. He said China has been very active in involving itself in Sudan mediation.,

He added that China has also been supportive in the Mali and Somalia cases and the recovery of nations who have just emerged from conflicts#.