In a move to deepen technological partnerships across continents, a comprehensive action plan has been released aimed at enhancing cooperation between China and African nations in online media, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the digital economy. Ikenna Emewu, Editor-in-Chief at Africa-China Press Centre, explains.
The initiative, announced during the 2025 China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum, seeks to foster a shared digital future amid growing global interconnectivity.
The plan builds on the 2021 Initiative on China-Africa Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace and aligns with directives from Chinese President Xi Jinping, as outlined in his recent congratulatory letter to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
It also supports the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan for 2025-2027, following the 2024 FOCAC Summit in Beijing. Chinese officials emphasized the need for pragmatic collaboration to create a ”fairer, more equitable, open, inclusive, safer, more stable, and more vibrant cyberspace.”
Divided into five key pillars, the action plan addresses critical areas of digital transformation:
Digital Economy Development: China pledges to collaborate on communication infrastructure, encouraging its equipment manufacturers and telecom enterprises to invest in African projects, including international submarine cables and 5G network deployments.
A new ”Cooperation Network of Chinese Internet Enterprises in Africa” will promote business exchanges. Additionally, the ”Silk Road E-Commerce” program will expand through bilateral mechanisms, online lectures, shopping festivals for African products, and campaigns to highlight 100 African stores and 1,000 products on major platforms.
Safeguarding Cybersecurity: Efforts will focus on emergency response, with China’s National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team/Coordination Centre (CNCERT) partnering with African Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) for joint incident handling and experience sharing.
Invitations to events like the World Internet Conference aim to build mutual trust, while discussions on data security and cross-border flows will address emerging risks.
Digital Capacity Building: Through the China-Africa Exchange and Cooperation Center on Cybersecurity and Digital Economy, tailored training programs will develop talents in e-commerce, information communication, and AI. Annual seminars on digital economy and cybersecurity will facilitate knowledge exchange to support Africa’s digital shift.
AI Governance: Drawing from China’s Global AI Governance Initiative, the plan promotes dialogue on AI risks, security standards, and ethical use. Cooperation will extend to international forums like the UN, G20, and BRICS, where China and African countries will coordinate on global rules to prevent AI misuse and empower public-sector applications.
Online Media Cooperation: Enhanced exchanges between Chinese and African media will include joint interviews, content sharing, and storytelling on Belt and Road successes. Youth, media, and think tanks will collaborate on regional coverage, with a focus on talent development and technological innovation to create a more inclusive global communication order.
Chinese representatives expressed readiness to work hand-in-hand with African partners, stating:
”China will put into practice the Global AI Governance Initiative by carrying out communication, exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with Africa on addressing AI-related risks and security governance standardisation to jointly prevent the abusive use of AI technologies.”
The plan invites African support to accelerate these efforts, highlighting mutual benefits in innovation and risk management.
This announcement comes at a pivotal time for Africa-China relations, as the continent grapples with digital divides and cybersecurity threats. Experts view it as a strategic extension of the Belt and Road Initiative, potentially accelerating Africa’s digital economy while positioning China as a key player in global tech governance.
With implementation tied to ongoing FOCAC mechanisms, the plan could reshape cyberspace dynamics, promoting equitable growth and shared prosperity between the two regions.
Source: Ikenna Emewu, Africachinapresscentre.org