TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Even though Taiwan only counts one official diplomatic ally in Africa, specialized agriculture courses have attracted attendants from eight African countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday (July 9).

The participants were 25 experts, officials, and business people from ally Eswatini, and from South Africa, Namibia, Somaliland, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Libya, per Radio Taiwan International (RTI).

The courses, designed by the Pingtung University of Science and Technology, center on both the practice and theory of farming technology. The students get to observe the present condition of Taiwan’s agriculture and strengthen cooperation between Taiwan and their countries after their return home, MOFA said.

The project could lead to business opportunities for the farm produce, packaging, and agricultural machinery sectors. MOFA also noted the presence of agriculture development teams in Eswatini and Somaliland.