Help Chika Take African Food Brands to China

Hi, I’m Chika Dunga — an entrepreneur and proud Nigerian-American building global trade pathways for African food brands through my strategy studio, A Day With Aslan.

I believe Africa has a critical role to play in the future of global food — one that could create billions of dollars in trade and lift millions into the middle class. My goal? Help build the next generation of iconic African food brands that reach global markets.

This summer, I’ve been accepted into Middlebury College’s prestigious Summer Chinese Language Program — the most rigorous Mandarin immersion experience in the U.S.

This isn’t just about learning a language. It’s about unlocking the relationships and trust needed to drive African–Chinese trade partnerships. China is the world’s largest consumer market, and Mandarin fluency is a major unlock.

Why Language Skills Matter in Business

1. Language Builds Trust

65% of executives say cultural and language barriers hurt cross-border deals. (Economist Intelligence Unit). In China, relationships ("guanxi") are everything — and language is key to building them.

2. Language Proficiency Improves Deal Success

Sales outcomes improve up to 30% when foreign partners speak even basic local language. (Harvard Business Review)

Companies are 2x more likely to succeed in new markets with language-trained teams. (McKinsey)

3. Mandarin Chinese is the #1 Business Language After English

Spoken by 900+ million people.

Chinese business leaders respond more positively when foreigners speak Mandarin — it shows respect and commitment.

Why Me, Why Now?

My relationship with China started in 2012, when I studied abroad in Beijing. I also took Mandarin at Kellogg during my MBA. At Middlebury, I'll take their iconic language pledge — 8 weeks of full immersion that will accelerate my Chinese language proficiency and move me closer to building authentic, high-trust relationships in Chinese markets.

This training will directly impact my ability to:

What's The Goal?

The program starts June 20th. Middlebury has already awarded me a $7,025 financial aid grant — a meaningful show of support. I’m raising $10,000 (actual goal is $10,400 to account for platform fees) to cover the remaining cost to attend.

Your support will help me seize this opportunity and take the next step in building global bridges between African entrepreneurs, investors, and China.

With your help, I’ll emerge closer to fluency in the world’s 2nd most spoken language — a Nigerian-American, top-MBA-educated strategist, deeply committed to reshaping global trade.

That, my friends, is an unstoppable force in business.

Thank you. Let’s build the future together.