Photo by interviewee RICO.
来自非洲贝宁的乔力，今年从中南大学毕业，以2024届优秀国际学生的身份入驻中国（湖南）自由贸易试验区长沙片区国际青年创业港，并于8月创办了长沙里科星际贸易有限公司。
RICO from Benin graduated from Central South University as an outstanding international student of 2024, settled in the International Youth Entrepreneurship Port in the Changsha Area of China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Furthermore, he established Changsha Rico Interstellar Trading Co., Ltd in August.
在乔力看来，长沙在中非经贸往来中具有得天独厚的优势。“长沙虽然处于内地，但是这里有高桥大市场，和非洲的一些国家关系非常密切，其他城市找不到像这样的一个地方。”
In RICO's view, Changsha has distinctive advantages in the economic and trade exchanges between China and Africa. "Although Changsha is located in the hinterland, it has the Hunan Gaoqiao Grand Market and keeps in close touch with some African countries. No other city can find a place like this", said RICO.
如今，他与他的创业公司正带动长沙、邵阳的公司出口假发、五金产品、农业机械至西非各国，目前已有在谈意向订单约30万美元。乔力表示自己想担任中非之间贸易往来的使者，“让长沙与非洲擦出更美更大的火花”。
Now, he and his company are leading enterprises in Changsha and Shaoyang to export wigs, hardware, and agricultural machinery to countries in West Africa. Currently, his company is in negotiation for potential orders of about 300,000 dollars. RICO also expressed his aspiration to be an envoy for trade between China and Africa. "I aspire to foster greater and more captivating connections between Changsha and Africa," he said.