Financial Observation | China-Africa Cooperation Helps Accelerate the Development of Africa's Digital Economy in the Epidemic
Xinhua News Agency, Nairobi, September 25. Since the beginning of this year, while the new crown epidemic has impacted the African economy, it has also brought opportunities for the accelerated development of Africa's digital economy.
The advanced technologies and platforms brought by Chinese companies have provided strong support for the African continent to build an e-commerce ecosystem and accelerate digital transformation.
During the epidemic, the booming e-commerce allowed African people to taste the sweetness of digital transformation.
On the electronic trading platform jointly built by Rwanda and the Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba, Rwanda Coffee achieved sales of 3,000 packs of "second light", which shocked the locals.
In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, spokesperson for the National Agricultural Export Development Committee of Rwanda, Pier Entvali, said: "In this digital age, we must adapt to e-commerce. Thanks to Alibaba, we are seizing the opportunity of digital transformation."
Data released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in August showed that since the outbreak of the epidemic, some e-commerce platforms in Africa have achieved triple-digit growth in business volume.
Many African governments are creating an environment conducive to the development of e-commerce and digital economy in accordance with the recommendations of UNCTAD.
Alex Entale, chief executive officer of the Information and Communication Technology Department of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation, said that digital technology has made life easier for African residents in the face of the blockade imposed during the epidemic, and they can purchase daily necessities online.
Kosar Desuza, a housewife who lives in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, said that the epidemic has doubled her online shopping needs.
In Kenya, music integrator Mdundo is expanding its business in 15 African countries and regions. Its online platform brings together more than 60,000 African artists and currently has more than 5 million active users.
Mdundo Chief Operating Officer Vaniko Koinange said that the number of music downloads on the platform has been growing steadily, with 33 million downloads in the first quarter of this year and an increase of 26% in the second quarter.
Entvali said that e-commerce has shown great potential in Africa and is expected to become the best business model in the future.
Mocta Yedali, Director of the Information Society Department of the African Union Commission, also believes that digitization is vital to the future of the African continent.
In the video conference of the World Summit on Information Society held recently, Ye Dali suggested that African leaders attending the conference should conduct "digital thinking".
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa issued a statement after the meeting that digital transformation is essential for the African continent to enhance its global competitiveness in the 21st century.
“It will not only help Africa’s integration, promote inclusive growth, and create jobs, but it will also eliminate the ever-widening digital divide, help Africa eradicate poverty, and benefit the African people.”
Jean Paul Adam, Director of the Department of Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, said: "Information and communication technology is an important engine for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, Africa is facing the challenge of the digital divide and will not solve the entire continent. With the issue of connectivity, we will not be able to achieve the 2030 goal."
Many observers have noticed that the African continent is building an e-commerce ecosystem thanks to the e-commerce platform built by Chinese companies in Africa and the mobile payment technology and smart phone equipment provided.
Edward Kuseva, a lecturer in economics at São Paulo University in Kenya, said: “China-Africa e-commerce cooperation is helping Africa realize its digital dream and help Africa improve its innovation, technology and competitiveness.”
Zambian social economist Kevin Chisanga said that the African continent has gradually realized that by establishing a partnership with China, it can reduce the cost of digital transformation in African countries.
On the 16th of this month, Huawei Kenya held the opening ceremony of the "Future Seeds" charity project in a video format.
The project aims to cultivate local information and communication technology talents for Kenya and promote communication between China and Kenya.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian said in his opening speech that China attaches great importance to the development of the digital economy and effectively promotes international cooperation in this field.
Through cooperation with the Chinese government and enterprises, the development of Africa's digital economy has achieved initial results.
Observers believe that as China and Africa continue to cooperate in the fields of information and communication infrastructure, the Internet and the digital economy, Africa's digital economy is expected to reach a new level.
(Note-holder: Wang Hongjiang; participating reporters: Wang Shoubao, Lu Tianran, Bai Lin, Li Sibo, Zhao Yupeng, Zhang Yuliang, Xie Han, Liu Ruijuan, Wang Xiaopeng, Cao Kai)