President Cyril Ramaphosa and Chinese President Xi Jinping have strong economic ties. Chinese firms and African governments have already piloted AI systems for urban management, fintech solutions, and hydropower operations, and there are joint efforts to apply technology for green energy and food. security, says the writer.
Emerging technologies, such as the internet of things (IoT), big data analytics and Artificialintelligence are rapidly evolving, with the potential to transform society and the economy.Africa stands a unique opportunity to reboot its development by leveraging new technologiesand reliable tech- partnerships for mutually beneficial socio-economic transformation. AI and emerging technologies are projected to contribute around $1.5 trillion to Africa’s GDPby 2030 through rapid tech adoption, accelerated sustainable growth and development.Advances in renewable energy, broadband infrastructure, and digital public services arestrengthening resilience and fostering more inclusive tech adoption for development. The African Union (AU)’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA) provide crucial frameworks which could benefit from the growing adoption ofnew technologies and supportive tech-partnerships to leapfrog the continent intomodernization.
The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) guidescontinental efforts by prioritising broadband expansion, digital skills development, e-governance, data governance, and support for emerging technologies such as AI and fintech. These policies, although at various levels ofinitiation and implementation demonstrates continental willingness to widely embrace tech-driven national and continental socio-economic development.As the African continent increases and broadens inclusive access and adoption of newtechnologies, there is need to foster mutually beneficial tech- partnerships to accelerate techdriven modernization. Evolving China Africa tech-partnerships involving governments,major telecommunications and mobile companies demonstrates that reliable partnershipscould effectively bridge the digital divide, allowing for inclusive economic participation andgrowth.China is the biggest trading and development partner with the African continent.
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Beijing isalso a major power championing the development of the Global South through initiatives likethe Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), GlobalCivilization Initiative (GCI), the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), the Belt and RoadInitiative (BRI) and the Forum for Africa China Cooperation (FOCAC). The Chinese government and companies have become critical catalytic partners inAfrica’s tech-driven modernization providing Information and Communication Technologies(ICTS) driving economic growth and service delivery such as e-government, health andeducation. In September 2025, African Union Commission (AUC) and the Ministry of Science andTechnology of China signed a new framework agreement to enhance cooperation in scienceand technology across the continent.
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