In Kenya, primary school students who wish to learn Mandarin Chinese can from 2020 onward. Kenya hopes to benefit from its citizens understanding the language of the fastest growing large economy. China has helped Kenya with developing the course.

The economics of learning another language, like Chinese in Kenya, are positive in many ways. To the person itself, because learning a second language increases your earning power. Moreover, the “widespread knowledge of languages is an important determinant for foreign trade” (Fidrmuc & Fidrmuc, 2016). Kenya is probably also better placed to benefit from the “magic of diaspora” as an economic force when its citizens speak Chinese.

For these economic reasons, the Kenyan policy of adding Mandarin Chinese to its curriculum is good. Kenyans are expected to earn more, trade is expected to increase, and the potential to benefit from the Chinese diaspora is also expected to improve.