China and African nations have officially launched the China-Africa Action Plan for Digital Cooperation and Development during the China-Africa Digital Cooperation Forum on Monday. This strategic initiative aims to foster collaboration and advance the digital sector across both regions.
Recognizing the pivotal role of digital development in modernization, the participating countries view a digitally empowered Africa as a significant driver for global progress. By embracing digital technologies, the plan seeks to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development, aligning with the overarching China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035.
The action plan outlines six key areas of cooperation:
- Digital Policy Cooperation: Enhancing policy exchanges and aligning digital strategies to support the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063. This includes sharing best practices and fostering mutual learning.
- Digital Infrastructure Cooperation: Building accessible, affordable, and sustainable digital infrastructure such as next-generation mobile communications, backbone networks, satellite communications, data centers, and cloud computing to improve connectivity and digital inclusiveness.
- Digital Innovation Cooperation: Promoting the development and adoption of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, 5G/6G, high-performance computing, and quantum communications. The plan also emphasizes support for SMEs, startups, and the empowerment of youth and women.
- Digital Transformation Cooperation: Accelerating the adoption of digital technologies across various sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, energy, public services, urban management, finance, healthcare, education, tourism, and retail. Ten digital transformation demonstration projects will be implemented over the next three years.
- Digital Security Cooperation: Collaborating on cyber security, data security, and personal information protection. The initiative encourages the development of security technologies and solutions, alongside skill training and exercises, with plans to establish a joint digital security laboratory.
- Digital Capability Cooperation: Strengthening digital skills through the exchange of ideas, best practices, and personnel training programs. Research institutions, think tanks, and universities will partner to build capacity, aiming to train at least 1,000 digital talents within three years.
To ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives, the action plan calls for collaborative partnerships involving governments, businesses, academia, and financial institutions. The countries also invite additional participants to join the action plan, enriching the dimensions of cooperation and broadening development opportunities.
Reference(s):
China and African countries issue action plan in the digital sector
cgtn.com
