Dr. Khalifa Sy Diop is a distinguished individual with a notable career spanning various roles in international relations, development, and Africa-China cooperation. He currently serves as the Foreign Secretary of the Federation of China-Africa Friendship Associations (FCAFA) and was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people of African descent in the world by the United Nations in 2023.
Dr. Khalifa Sy Diop holds several key positions, including being a research fellow at China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council and the Deputy Director of the International Business Department at the Beijing Lianci Health Charity Foundation. He is also an advisor for African Affairs in the Outreach Department of the China-Africa Joint Development Committee under the China Association for the Promotion of International Economic and Technical Cooperation (CAIETC). Furthermore, he is the President of the West African Association of the African Youth Delegation in China, as well as a representative of the City of Sikasso, Mali, in Hunan Province.
In addition to these roles, Dr. Khalifa Sy Diop serves as a liaison for both the General State Department of Agriculture and the Malian Department of Industrial Management and Planning (DIMIP) in China. He is an overseas member of the Changsha People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Director of the Mali (Hunan-Changsha) Business Centre. Dr. Khalifa Sy Diop is also the Secretary General for Foreign Affairs of the Malian Luban Workshop, further highlighting his commitment to strengthening ties between China and Africa.
ACHIEVEMENTS of Dr. Sy Diop
1. Establishment of Twin City Ties between Sikasso and Changsha
Dr. Sy Diop successfully initiated the creation of twin city ties between Sikasso, Mali, and Changsha, China, fostering stronger diplomatic and economic relations between the two cities.
2. Cooperation between Hunan Agricultural University and Ségou University
Dr. Sy Diop facilitated a collaborative partnership between Hunan Agricultural University (China) and Ségou University (Mali). This partnership focuses on studying the challenges and opportunities of the Malian agricultural sector, with the goal of promoting agricultural cooperation between Mali and China on a national level.
3. Partnership between Vocational School of Senou and Shaanxi Institute of Technology
A collaboration was established between the Vocational School of Senou (Mali) and Shaanxi Institute of Technology (China). In September 2025, the first group of students will arrive in Mali under scholarships negotiated as part of this cooperation.
4. Advocacy for the Luban Workshop in Mali
Dr. Sy Diop has strongly advocated for the establishment of the Luban Workshop in Mali, aiming to promote direct collaboration between African traditional medicine and Chinese traditional medicine.
5. Creation of the Malian Business Center
Dr. Sy Diop played a pivotal role in the creation of the Malian Business Center, which aims to promote trade, investment, industrialization, economic, and Trade cooperation between Mali and China.
6. Development of Industrial Parks in Mali and Africa
Dr. Sy Diop has been instrumental in the development of industrial parks in Mali, as well as other African countries, to foster industrialization and economic growth.
7. Strengthening Bilateral Health Cooperation between Sikasso and Beijing
Dr. Sy Diop has worked to boost bilateral health cooperation, particularly between Sikasso and Beijing, improving healthcare partnerships and collaboration in the health sector.
8. Industrial Technology Transfer between Mali and China
Dr. Sy Diop initiated a program for industrial technology transfer between Mali and China, including a specialized training course for companies in the milk industry in Mali, organized through a Chinese institute in collaboration with Mali’s National Directorate of Industrial Park Development and Management.
9. Facilitation of Direct Cooperation between Mali and China
Dr. Sy Diop has facilitated direct cooperation between Mali and China at various levels, enhancing diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.
10. Promotion of Local Government Cooperation (City Diplomacy)
Dr. Sy Diop has been a strong advocate for local government cooperation, including city diplomacy, province to province cooperation, to enhance partnerships between Malian and Chinese cities.