China has announced a comprehensive action plan to expedite Africa’s digital transformation through expanded cooperation in communication infrastructure, e-commerce, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and online media. The commitments were revealed at the China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum, hosted by the Cyberspace Administration of China in Xiamen.
The plan, which spans 2025–2026, builds on President Xi Jinping’s call for deeper digital partnerships with Africa to implement the guiding principles of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Action Plan (2025–2027).
“In jointly building a China-Africa community with a shared future in cyberspace, we are committed to a digital future that is fairer and more equitable, more open and inclusive, safer and more stable, and more vibrant,” the statement declared.
China pledged to work closely with African countries to strengthen communication infrastructure, which includes promoting cooperation between Chinese equipment manufacturers and African developers, as well as encouraging Chinese telecom companies to invest in submarine cable projects. Beijing also expressed its readiness to support African operators in the deployment and application innovation of 5G technology.
A “Cooperation Network of Chinese Internet Enterprises in Africa” will be established to enhance exchanges between tech enterprises, while e-commerce collaboration will be expanded through the “Silk Road E-Commerce” initiative. The plan includes hosting online shopping festivals featuring African products, promoting tourism activities, and launching a campaign to market “100 African stores and 1,000 African products” on leading e-commerce platforms.
On cybersecurity, China vowed to strengthen emergency response cooperation by linking the China National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team (CNCERT) with African CERTs. Joint management of cross-border cyber incidents, experience sharing, and cooperation agreements are anticipated.
African partners will also be invited to key events such as the World Internet Conference and the CNCERT International Partnership Conference to foster dialogue and trust. Additionally, China pledged to cooperate on data security and cross-border data flows to jointly address emerging digital risks.
To enhance Africa’s digital human capital, China will leverage the China-Africa Exchange and Cooperation Center on Cybersecurity and Digital Economy to nurture talent in ICT, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence.
Annual China-Africa seminars on the digital economy and cybersecurity will be held to enhance mutual understanding, with further cooperation promised in AI, personal privacy protection, and Internet-related laws and regulations.
China also emphasized the importance of responsible artificial intelligence development. “We will join hands to empower AI to play a bigger role in the public sector and prevent its abusive use, ensuring intelligent technologies benefit all of humanity,” the statement noted.
Beijing pledged to implement the Global AI Governance Initiative in partnership with Africa, addressing risk management, security governance, and international rule-making through platforms such as the UN, G20, and BRICS.
China also proposed deeper collaboration with African online media, including joint interviews, content exchanges, and training. Efforts will also be made to strengthen the role of young people, media, and think tanks in collaboratively reporting on global and regional issues.
The initiative envisions talent development and innovation partnerships to promote the growth of online platforms and build “a global communication order that is more open, inclusive, and just.”
China first launched the Initiative on Jointly Building a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace in 2021. The new action plan, according to Beijing, will reinforce Africa’s digital transformation and accelerate progress towards shared prosperity in the information age.
“With these actions, we aim to deepen pragmatic cooperation with African countries in the digital sector and work together for a brighter digital future,” the statement affirmed.
