The Confucius Institute at the University of Lomé and APSONIC Togo have entered a ten-year naming rights partnership for the “APSONIC Cup · Togo Chinese Bridge Hero Competition.” The signing ceremony, held on October 28, 2025, was attended by Prof. Tan Dailong and Prof. Aibudo, Chinese and Togolese co-directors of the institute, and Mr. Zeng Zhaozhu, head of APSONIC Togo.

Under the new agreement, APSONIC becomes the exclusive title sponsor of the annual competition, extending a long-standing relationship between the company and the institute. A subsidiary of Dayang Holdings Group, APSONIC has operated in West Africa for more than two decades and is one of the region’s most recognized and trusted motorcycle brands.

Since its establishment, the Confucius Institute at the University of Lomé has maintained close cooperation with APSONIC. Together they have built a strong pipeline for talent development and exchange: the institute has trained numerous local professionals fluent in Chinese language and culture, while APSONIC has offered internships and employment opportunities to its graduates—creating a model of sustainable university-industry collaboration.

Beyond talent cultivation, APSONIC has consistently supported the institute’s teaching environment and infrastructure. It has donated a language laboratory, a Confucius statue, and other facilities to enhance Chinese-language instruction. During the inaugural Togo National Chinese Bridge Hero Competition, APSONIC sponsored prizes including several motorcycles, greatly increasing the event’s reach and public visibility.

Building on this partnership, the 2025 APSONIC Cup · Togo Chinese Bridge Hero Competition will be held from November through December 2025. Drawing on the success of last year’s national competition, this year’s event will adopt an invitational format, expanding participation to the broader West African region. The goal is to create a high-profile platform for Chinese-language learners to demonstrate their skills and share cultural experiences.

The agreement marks a new milestone in the cooperation between the Confucius Institute at the University of Lomé and APSONIC. Looking ahead, both sides plan to deepen collaboration in cultural exchange and education, working together to build the “Chinese Bridge Hero Competition” into a flagship event for Togo and the African continent—advancing mutual understanding and lasting friendship between Chinese and African peoples through language learning and shared cultural engagement.