To serve the national resource and energy security strategy and the "Belt and Road" initiative, respond to the national science and technology diplomatic policy toward Africa, and implement the task list from Chair of Nanjing University CPC Council Tan Tieniu's visit to Africa, Shen Shuzhong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Chen Tianyu, Dean of the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, led a delegation to attend the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba from February 6 to 13. Using the Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) program as a collaborative platform, the delegation systematically advanced cooperation in science, technology, education, and talent development within the field of African mineral resources, exploring a new path for the synergistic development of foreign exchange and metallogenic research.
Visiting African universities to discuss geoscience talent cultivation
On the morning of February 8, the delegation visited the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. They held talks with Professor Hassina Mouri, President of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and Professor Axel Hofmann from the Department of Geology at the University of Johannesburg, as well as Professor Oluwafemi Adebo, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Global Engagement. Shen Shuzhong emphasized that the DDE program regards Africa as a vital force in global geoscience research. He noted that the newly launched special fund will not only invest capital but also innovate cooperative models, aiming to break down geographical barriers and realize the vision of "science without borders, data shared by all." Chen Tianyu introduced the school's faculty, laboratory platforms, and data resources. He stated that both sides should take the implementation of the DDE program in Africa as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation and exchange in scientific research and talent training, jointly advancing the development of Earth system science. Associate Professor Zhang Rongqing and Professor Axel Hofmann had previously collaborated on research regarding the genesis of tin deposits in southern Africa, and they discussed potential directions for jointly applying for international collaborative projects in the future. Both parties reached a consensus on core issues such as deepening inter-university cooperation between the University of Johannesburg and Nanjing University, co-establishing joint laboratories, and promoting joint talent cultivation.
Professors from the University of Johannesburg hold talks with the the delegation of NJU School of Earth Sciences and Engineering.
On the morning of February 10, during the Investing in African Mining Indaba, the delegation met and exchanged views with Professor Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria. The two sides systematically reviewed their respective developmental histories, disciplinary advantages, and foundations for cooperation. They focused on in-depth exchanges regarding collaborative research in the geosciences and the implementation of the DDE international science initiative in Africa.
Professor Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria, meets with the the delegation of NJU School of Earth Sciences and Engineering.
Engaging in dialogue with industry to link scientific research with practice
On the afternoon of February 9, the delegation held talks with Dr. Mmboneni Muofhe, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Science and Innovation of South Africa, and other officials. Relying on the intergovernmental memorandum of understanding on science and technology cooperation between the two countries, the two sides decided to align and advance cooperation step-by-step across five major areas: short-term exchanges for scientists, talent training programs for international big science projects, co-hosting academic seminars, supporting joint research between scientific research institutions of both countries, and promoting the sharing of scientific research infrastructure, aiming to translate the consensus into concrete projects.
Leaders from the South African Department of Science and Innovation meet with the delegation of NJU School of Earth Sciences and Engineering.
On the afternoon of February 10, the delegation met with the head of the South African consulting firm Arena-Partners and overseas representatives of Huayou Cobalt. Shen Shuzhong pointed out that South Africa possesses abundant mineral resources and that NJU will strengthen international collaborative research in this field. By combining the advantages of big data and large models, the university aims to assist in the exploration and development of South Africa's strategic minerals. Based on the development philosophy of mutually beneficial cooperation and green development, the company representatives expressed their willingness to act as a bridge for the DDE program and NJU to conduct cooperative research and talent training with local South African research institutes, laying the foundation for future synergistic development.
South African consulting firm Arena-Partners holds talks with the delegation of NJU School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, the China-Africa Development Fund, and the overseas team of Huayou Cobalt.
Making an appearance at the Mining Indaba and launching the DDE Initiative
From February 9 to 12, the delegation organized a special DDE session at the Investing in African Mining Indaba held in Cape Town, South Africa. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Natarajan Ishwaran, Secretary-General of the DDE program. Shen Shuzhong, Chen Tianyu, and Song Fengxue, General Manager of the Second Mining Investment Department of the China-Africa Development Fund, each delivered opening remarks.
During the meeting, DDE and the China-Africa Development Fund formally signed a cooperation agreement, jointly launching the collaborative initiative "Geoscience Data and Artificial Intelligence Empowering Sustainable Development in Africa." Shen Shuzhong and Song Fengxue signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations, witnessed by representatives from the Council for Geoscience of the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the South African Department of Science and Innovation, the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the African Union, and the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Shen Shuzhong highlighted the scientific project funding plan to be carried out under the DDE program, emphasizing that special support will be provided to outstanding African talents. The application portal is expected to officially open in the coming weeks, a move that generated an enthusiastic response. In addition, the conference featured a series of thematic reports showcasing the application prospects of artificial intelligence large models in geosciences, research progress on the genesis of African tin deposits, and the outcomes of the global 1:5,000,000 geological mapping under the DDE program framework.
Shen Shuzhong and Chen Tianyu deliver opening remarks at the DDE special session.
Shen Shuzhong and Song Fengxue sign a cooperation agreement.
Zhang Rongqing delivers a thematic report on the genesis of African tin deposits.
During this trip, the delegation paid courtesy calls on the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, and the Chinese Mission to the African Union in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, exchanging views on topics such as university cooperation and talent cultivation.
Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng meets with the delegation of NJU School of Earth Sciences and Engineering.
Chinese Ambassador to the African Union Jiang Feng meets with the delegation of NJU School of Earth Sciences and Engineering.
The delegation also visited Dr. Mahaman Bachir Saley, Deputy Director and Senior Science and Technology Officer of the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the African Union. Dean Chen Tianyu expressed his hope to facilitate more Sino-African scientific research collaboration and talent cultivation in the geosciences through the African Union. Dr. Saley, in turn, expressed his desire to promote regular academic visits between Chinese and African universities through a combination of online and offline training courses and seminars. The two sides discussed issues concerning talent cultivation models and in-depth scientific research cooperation, reaching a consensus on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation and establishing a normalized liaison mechanism.
Dr. Mahaman Bachir Saley, Deputy Director of the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the African Union, meets with the delegation of NJU School of Earth Sciences and Engineering.
Text and Photos: Zhang Rongqing, Huang Yimiao
Reviewer: Dong Ting
