China and 26 African countries have agreed to strengthen partnerships and boost innovation in the digital sector.
African participants at the Forum on China, Africa Digital Cooperation were hosted Monday (Jul. 29) by the Chinese ministry of Industry and Information Technology in Beijing.
Senegal’s minister of telecommunications looked forward to the changes scheduled over the next three years.
“This digital cooperation between China and Africa is win-win, and will bring benefits to our countries, the African continent and China through the setting up of innovative infrastructures,” Alioune Sall said.
The parties jointly issued an action plan which includes the implementation of 10 digital transformation demonstration projects and the training of at least 1,000 professionals in the digital field.
This initiative aims to strengthen partnerships in digital policy, infrastructure, cutting-edge innovation, digital transformation, security, and talent nurturing over the next three years.
Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to China said, “actually, for us Africans, China is a very trustworthy partner, particularly when it comes to digital cooperation. China, I think, is very advanced in telecommunication and as the minister has said – now all Chinese people in urban and rural areas, have access to the internet. So, we really need to see that in Africa.”
In recent years, China has struck digital cooperation deals with numerous African governments.
According to the China Academy of ICTs, Chinese firms are involved in bolstering network infrastructures on the continent, benefiting over 900 million people.
These include the deployment of undersea cables by Chinese companies and the launch of data centers.
Jin Zhuanglong, Minister, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said, “China-Africa cooperation in the digital field has huge potential and broad prospects. China will continue to adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, actively carry out digital cooperation with African countries – to help build a ‘Digital Africa’.”
