Shenmo Education Zambia at the 1st African Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup — A Foundational Step for Zambia in Port Harcourt, Nigeria (October 2023)

Shenmo Education Zambia’s experience at the 1st African Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup in Port Harcourt, Nigeria — perspectives from the Founder & CEO on showcasing African Abacus talent, networking, and strategic growth in abacus education.

Shenmo Education Zambia Reflects on the 1st African Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

In October 2023, Shenmo Education Zambia marked a significant milestone by participating in the 1st African Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup, held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The event — the first continental competition of its kind — brought together hundreds of young learners, educational leaders, and abacus practitioners from across Africa, even though Shenmo Zambia was represented solely by our Founder & CEO at the time.

This foundational experience offered powerful insights into the growth, potential, and strategic direction of abacus mental maths education for Zambia and the broader African community. 

A Landmark Event for African Abacus Education

The 1st African Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup was successfully held on October 14, 2023, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and represented a regional linkage mode competition designed to elevate abacus mental maths learning across the continent. 

This maiden event drew students from over 20 African countries and engaged more than 1,000 young learners aged 4 to 15, highlighting the broad interest and rapid adoption of the Shenmo approach to mental maths. 

Distinguished guests included:

• Li Mianjun, President of Shenmo Education International, China

• Dr. Lily Cheng, International Consultant for Shenmo Education

• Education officials from the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Nigeria

• Over 30 Shenmo Principals from China, Singapore, and Africa.

• Hundreds of parents and educators invested in nurturing mathematical talent across the continent 

Shenmo Zambia’s Participation & Strategic Objectives

Although Shenmo Education Zambia did not field student competitors at the inaugural event, our Founder & CEO attended the Cup to represent Zambia’s interest in mental maths excellence, capacity building, and cross-border educational collaboration.

This strategic attendance was anchored on three key objectives:

1. Benchmarking African Abacus Talent

Participation provided an invaluable view into how abacus mental maths is being implemented and celebrated across Africa, offering direct comparison points for teaching methods, student engagement, and competitive outcomes. 

2. Networking with Continental Leaders

Engagement with Shenmo principals, partners, and educational authorities cultivated relationships that are essential for:

• future learner participation

• instructor training exchange

• curriculum alignment with international standards

These relationships are fundamental to Shenmo Zambia’s long-term expansion strategy. 

3. Understanding the Impact of Competitive Platforms

Exposure to the Cup’s format — which included written mental math rounds, listening mental maths exercises, cultural showcases, and award ceremonies — underscored the importance of experiential learning in boosting confidence and performance among young maths learners. 

Highlight: Continental Engagement and Learner Achievement

While Zambia did not compete with students in 2023, the event celebrated remarkable achievements from across Africa. Notably:

• Students from Ghana, including Nakeeyat Dramani Sam, earned multiple gold medals, affirming the high standards and competitive spirit present at the Cup. 

Such performances reflect both the transformative power of abacus education and the potential future success of Zambian learners once enrolled in structured training and competitive preparation.

Learning & Future Directions for Shenmo Zambia

Shenmo Education Zambia’s presence in Port Harcourt provided critical strategic takeaways:

A. Educational Standards and Curriculum Alignment

Evaluating how learners from other African countries performed highlighted areas of innovation and teacher training that Shenmo Zambia can integrate into its own programs.

B. Building a Competitive Mindset

Understanding competition logistics and performance metrics will inform how we prepare our future cohorts — ensuring they are mentally and emotionally ready for continental competitions.

C. Expanding Zambia’s Abacus Community

The event reinforced the necessity of broader outreach, including:

• expanded instructor training programs

• school partnerships

• community awareness campaigns focused on abacus benefits

Why This Matters for Zambia

Shenmo Education Zambia’s experience at the 1st African Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup was more than observational — it was strategic groundwork for Zambia’s future in mental maths excellence.

By participating at the leadership level, we positioned ourselves to:

• Learn from the best abacus educators on the continent

• Advocate for Zambia’s inclusion in future educational platforms

• Prepare our learners to compete, collaborate, and excel internationally

This engagement aligns with our commitment to nurturing mentally agile, confident, and globally competitive young Zambians through abacus mental maths education. 

Looking Forward

Shenmo Education Zambia is actively preparing to send student competitors to future Shenmo Cups, backed by rigorous training, structured preparatory programs, and community support initiatives.

We thank our partners, educators, and supporters for believing in our mission to transform how children learn and excel in mathematics — one mental calculation at a time.

About Shenmo Education Zambia

Shenmo Education Zambia delivers world-class abacus and mental maths training designed to enhance concentration, memory, speed, and overall cognitive development. Through partnerships, competitions, and a passion for academic excellence, Shenmo Zambia prepares the next generation of young thinkers to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Interested in enrolling your child or partnering with Shenmo Education Zambia?

Contact us today to learn more about our programs and upcoming competition opportunities!

Shenmo Education Zambia Shines at the 2nd Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup in Kigali, Rwanda

Shenmo Education Zambia proudly participated in the 2nd Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup in Kigali, Rwanda, showcasing young Zambian talent, building continental partnerships, and advancing quality abacus education in Africa.

Shenmo Education Zambia at the 2nd Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup – Kigali, Rwanda

Shenmo Education Zambia is proud to share its enriching and inspiring experience at the 2nd Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup, held in Kigali, Rwanda. The international competition brought together Shenmo Education teams, educators, and young learners from across Africa to celebrate excellence in abacus mental mathematics, cognitive development, and child-centered education.

For the Shenmo Zambia team, this event marked a major milestone in our journey to position Zambia as a serious contributor to high-quality mental maths education on the African continent.

About the Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup

The Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup is a flagship international competition designed to:

• Assess mental calculation speed and accuracy

• Build confidence and focus in young learners

• Encourage healthy academic competition

• Strengthen collaboration among Shenmo Education partner countries

Participants compete across age groups and levels, solving increasingly complex calculations using mental visualization techniques developed through abacus training.

The 2nd edition, hosted in Kigali, was particularly significant due to its scale, diversity of participants, and emphasis on cross-cultural learning.

Shenmo Education Zambia’s Participation

Shenmo Education Zambia participated with a strong sense of purpose: to learn, benchmark, connect, and grow.

Our delegation included:

• Shenmo Zambia founder & CEO;

• Young learner representing Zambia’s growing abacus community

• Leadership representatives focused on partnerships and program development

The Zambian learners demonstrated:

• High levels of concentration

• Strong mental visualization skills

• Remarkable discipline under competitive conditions

Beyond competition results, our learners gained international exposure, confidence, and motivation—key outcomes aligned with Shenmo Education’s long-term developmental goals.

Key Highlights from Kigali

1. Exposure to International Standards

The competition provided a valuable benchmark for Shenmo Education Zambia, allowing us to evaluate our curriculum delivery, learner progression, and instructional quality against regional and global standards.

2. Learner Growth Beyond the Classroom

For many learners, this was their first international academic competition. The experience enhanced:

• Emotional resilience

• Time management under pressure

• Peer learning and teamwork

These are life skills that extend far beyond mathematics.

3. Professional Development for Educators

Our engagement with Shenmo educators from other countries, sharing best practices in:

• Abacus training

• Child psychology and motivation

• Classroom management and assessment

This exchange directly strengthens the quality of abacus education delivered in Zambia.

4. Strengthening Pan-African Collaboration

The event reinforced Shenmo Education’s vision of building a connected African education ecosystem, where children across borders access the same high-quality cognitive development tools.

Why This Matters for Zambia

Shenmo Education Zambia’s participation in the 2nd Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths Cup underscores our commitment to:

• Elevating educational standards in Zambia

• Preparing Zambian children to compete confidently at international levels

• Introducing globally tested learning methodologies into local classrooms

Mental maths and abacus training are proven to improve:

• Memory and concentration

• Logical reasoning

• Academic performance across subjects

By participating in global competitions, Shenmo Education Zambia ensures that its learners are not just locally competent—but globally competitive.

Looking Ahead: Building on the Kigali Experience

The Kigali experience has strengthened our resolve to:

• Expand Shenmo Abacus Mental Maths programs across Zambia

• Increase learner participation in international competitions

• Invest further in teacher training and curriculum refinement

• Build partnerships with schools, parents, and corporate sponsors

We believe that early cognitive development is the foundation of future leadership, innovation, and national growth.

Gratitude and Acknowledgements

Shenmo Education Zambia extends its sincere appreciation to:

• Shenmo International for organizing a world-class competition

• Shenmo Rwanda for hosting an exceptional event in Kigali

• Parents and guardians for their unwavering support

• Our learner, who represented Zambia with pride, discipline, and courage

About Shenmo Education Zambia

Shenmo Education Zambia is a leading provider of abacus mental maths and cognitive development programs for children. Our mission is to nurture confident, focused, and mentally agile learners prepared for academic and life success.

Through structured abacus training, competitions, and continuous innovation, we are shaping the next generation of African problem-solvers and leaders.

Interested in enrolling your child or partnering with Shenmo Education Zambia?

Contact us today to learn more about our programs, school partnerships, and upcoming competitions.

Shenmo Education Zambia – Developing Minds. Building Africa’s Future.