UNDP, China academy intend to drive Africa’s digital transformation

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) expressed their intention to co-design the Africa Digital Empowerment and Innovation Hub, marking a significant step toward accelerating digital transformation across the continent.

The two sides have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, the MoU reflects a shared commitment to inclusive, resilient, and sustainable digital development in Africa. “This partnership with CAICT is a bold step toward realizing Africa’s digital future,” said Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant UN Secretary General and Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa . “By combining UNDP’s development expertise with CAICT’s technological leadership, we are laying the foundation for people-centered digital transformation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.”

The Africa Digital Empowerment and Innovation Hub will serve as a collaborative platform to co-create digital solutions, build institutional and human capacity, and promote South-South cooperation. It will leverage open-source technologies, digital public goods, and local innovations to modernize Africa’s digital ecosystem.

“We are excited to partner with UNDP to drive digital innovation in Africa. This MoU marks a significant milestone in our efforts to leverage technology for inclusive growth and development,” said Mr. LI Guanyu, Vice President of CAICT.

The Hub will empower governments, youth, and women with advanced digital skills in areas such as AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital governance. It will support the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to help startups and entrepreneurs scale impactful solutions. In addition, the Hub will foster cross-border collaboration between African and Chinese firms in key sectors including health, agriculture, education, and green energy through accelerators, mentorship, and investment dialogues.

This collaboration underscores a growing commitment to harnessing technology for sustainable development, with a strong emphasis on inclusive innovation and South-South cooperation.