The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Africa Digital Empowerment and Innovation Hub, a major initiative aimed at fast-tracking Africa’s digital transformation.
The agreement, sealed on the sidelines of the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, underscores a shared vision for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable digital development across the continent.
“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.”
A New Platform for Innovation and Capacity Building
The Africa Digital Empowerment and Innovation Hub will act as a collaborative platform designed to co-create digital solutions tailored to Africa’s development needs. It aims to build both institutional and human capacity by leveraging 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.
Focus Areas: Skills, Infrastructure, and Cross-Border Collaboration
The Hub will prioritize equipping governments, youth, and women with advanced digital skills in fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital governance. It will also support the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to help startups and entrepreneurs scale solutions that address key development challenges.
In addition, the partnership seeks to foster cross-border collaboration between African and Chinese firms across strategic sectors including health, agriculture, education, and green energy. This will be achieved through accelerators, mentorship initiatives, and investment dialogues that connect innovators and investors from both regions.
A Commitment to Sustainable, Inclusive Growth
This collaboration highlights a growing international commitment to harnessing technology for sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Africa. The Hub’s emphasis on South-South cooperation aligns with efforts to promote shared prosperity through technological exchange and local innovation.
With digital transformation increasingly central to Africa’s economic resilience and competitiveness, the UNDP-CAICT partnership is poised to contribute meaningfully to the continent’s development journey in the digital era.
