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A series of trade and investment deals, including mutual assistance in education, were recently sealed during the China-Africa Co-operation Summit, held in Beijing at the beginning of November. The Summit, drawing leaders from China and 48 African countries, was the largest and highest-level meeting between the partners since diplomatic relations were established fifty years ago. The overriding focus was on trade, with a flurry of deals worth nearly US$2 billion being signed, but China also promised to double its aid to the continent by 2009. In what could potentially prove to be an ambitious venture, China and 17 African countries have announced closer co-operation in higher education, citing mutual benefits in the name of ‘South-to-South’ collaboration. What are the details behind the China-Africa higher education partnership, and what are some examples of joint initiatives carried out to date? What are the stated rationales on both ends, with a particular focus on the economic incentives? Which other countries appear to be seeking entry into the African tertiary-level market, and what might be the implications of growing ‘South-to-South’ collaboration on the continent’s higher education systems at large?