The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), an entity of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, have signed an Memorandum of Understanding to co-design the Africa Digital Empowerment and Innovation Hub, which will accelerate digital transformation across the continent.
According to the UNDP, the hub will act as a collaborative platform for co-creating digital solutions, strengthening institutional and human capacity, and promoting South-South collaboration. It will use open-source technologies, digital public goods, and local innovations to modernise Africa's digital ecosystem.
Moreover, the facility aims empower governments, youth, and women with advanced digital skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cyber security, and digital governance. It will support the development of digital public infrastructure to help start-ups and entrepreneurs scale impactful solutions.
Additionally, the hub will foster cross-border collaboration between African and Chinese firms in key sectors including health, agriculture, education, and green energy through accelerators, mentorship, and investment dialogues, highlighted the UNDP.
“This partnership with CAICT is a bold step toward realising Africa’s digital future. 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,” said Ahunna Eziakonwa, assistant UN secretary general and director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa.
“This MoU marks a significant milestone in our efforts to leverage technology for inclusive growth and development,” added LI Guanyu, VP of CAICT
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