Digital transformation represents a cornerstone objective of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, China-Africa collaboration in the digital economy has expanded significantly in recent years, spanning infrastructure development, e-commerce platforms, and digital talent cultivation.
In Botswana’s capital Gaborone, the China-built National Data Center stands as the country’s first facility of its kind. Constructed by Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation, the center began operations in June 2024 after three years of development. Project manager Zhu Yahan explained that the facility accommodates high-performance servers meeting large-scale data storage and transmission needs for government and commercial users. The center features triple power redundancy through municipal supply, emergency backup, and diesel generators ensuring uninterrupted operations. According to Sethogo Segoale, CEO of Botswana Fiber Networks, the center’s operation has transformed the local information technology ecosystem, enabling faster and more cost-effective data exchange for internet users while advancing national digitalization efforts.
Kenya’s e-commerce landscape has been revolutionized by Kilimall, China’s pioneering internet platform in Africa. Operating for over a decade across multiple African countries, Kilimall serves 8,000 sellers through 12,000 stores and 1,500 community pickup points, with app downloads growing fifty percent annually. The platform’s proprietary logistics and payment systems have enhanced consumer experiences significantly. Kenyan furniture seller Kariuki credits Kilimall’s prepayment system for enabling him to sell 300-400 products monthly across different regions.
Meanwhile, China is cultivating Africa’s digital workforce through initiatives like Rwanda’s Luban Workshop. Students receive practical training at Zhejiang’s Jinhua Vocational and Technical University, learning e-commerce management, data analysis, and live-streaming techniques. The workshop’s technical standards have been incorporated into Rwanda’s vocational education system. Former South African diplomat Grobler notes that China’s comprehensive approach—from building infrastructure serving 700 million users to hosting ICT competitions and e-commerce training camps—continuously empowers Africa’s digital transformation journey.
Source: People’s Daily, January 3, 2026
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