By Lucy Ogalue
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), have partnered to co-develop the Africa Digital Empowerment and Innovation Hub.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant UN Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, stated this in a statement on Thursday.
According to Eziakonwa, the partnership aimed at accelerating digital transformation across the African continent.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, marking a major step in promoting inclusive, resilient and sustainable digital development in Africa.
Eziakonwa, described the partnership as a strategic initiative to support people-centred technological advancement aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This partnership with CAICT is a bold step towards realising Africa’s digital future.
“By combining UNDP’s development expertise with CAICT’s technological leadership, we are laying the foundation for digital transformation that prioritises people, skills and equity.
“The proposed Africa Digital Empowerment and Innovation Hub will function as a collaborative platform to build digital solutions.
“It will also strengthen human and institutional capacity and promote South-South cooperation through open-source technologies and digital public goods,” she said.
Mr Li Guanyu, Vice-President of CAICT, said that the partnership reflected China’s growing commitment to using technology to drive inclusive development across Africa.
“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.
“The Hub will empower African governments, youth and women with advanced digital skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cyber-security and digital governance.
“It will also support the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), helping start-ups and entrepreneurs scale locally developed solutions,” he said.
Guanyu said the Hub aimed to facilitate cross-border collaboration between African and Chinese firms in critical sectors.
“This includes health, education, agriculture and green energy through business accelerators, mentorship and investment platforms.
“The collaboration highlights a growing international commitment to harnessing innovation for sustainable development, with a strong focus on inclusive digital growth and global cooperation,” he said.(NAN)