China is helping Africa harness the transformative development potential of the digital economy

African leaders have positioned regional cooperation and integration as a cornerstone for the continent's development. Their goal is to transform the 55 disparate economies into a cohesive, resilient economy. This vision is supported by cutting-edge trans-boundary infrastructure, a dynamic and mobile workforce, flexible financial capital, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, and initiatives for peace and security. A pivotal element of this vision is the ethos of national ownership and self-reliance in development policies. This approach enables member states to craft strategies tailored to their unique needs, thus progressively decreasing dependency on aid.

Within the scope of Africa's regional integration strategy for growth, the deployment of science, technology and innovation is essential. The productivity leap of numerous nations, African included, can be attributed to refined managerial practices, organizational evolution, advancements in science and technology, and innovation in goods and services production. Investments in information and communication technology have enhanced the caliber of capital and labor. This is reflected in the elevated skill set of the average African workers.

R&D-driven technological shifts, along with the ensuing spread of innovation, are integral to growth. Fundamentally, productivity gains are a result of the refined integration of capital and labor in production processes. Consequently, the significance of science, technology and innovation in bolstering growth is undeniable. ICT acts as a catalyst for sweeping changes across the economy, spurring innovation across diverse sectors. This technology diffusion, coupled with ICT investments and organizational reform, holds great promise for robust economic expansion.

In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, digital transformation has been fast-tracked across sectors. Organizations are increasingly leveraging digital tools to enable remote operations, enhance customer experiences and streamline processes. The pandemic also propelled e-commerce as consumers gravitated toward online platforms for convenience and safety. There has been a surge in the adoption of digital payment methods, including mobile wallets, contactless payments and cryptocurrencies. This trend is motivated by the allure of convenience, expediency and security. The fintech revolution is redefining conventional banking and financial services, with breakthroughs in digital banking, lending, insurance and wealth management in response to shifting consumer expectations and behaviors. Artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, finance and retail, facilitating process automation, data-driven insights and bespoke customer interactions. The digital economy thrives on technological innovation, changing consumer patterns and business model evolution.

Africa is determined not to fall behind in the global race to digitize services and enterprises. According to a World Bank report, digital technologies are revolutionizing economies, fostering job creation, and enhancing quality of life. This report cites a surge of 1.5 billion new internet users from 2018 to 2022, notably in middle-income countries — a trend amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming sectors such as communications, business, health, education, and finance. A McKinsey report projects that by 2030, AI could contribute an additional 1.2 percentage points annually to global GDP growth, representing about $13 trillion.

In Africa, digital technologies such as blockchain, data analytics, AI, 3D printing, the internet of things, automation, robotics and cloud computing are crucial to deepening and expediting the continent's industrialization. For instance, Kenya's FarmDrive leverages mobile phones, alternative data and machine learning to provide smallholder farmers with credit by calculating alternative credit scores. FarmDrive is enhancing farmers' livelihoods, combating poverty, and bridging inequalities. In South Africa, Aerobotics employs AI to aid farmers by analyzing aerial imagery and detecting issues imperceptible to the human eye, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity. The adoption of IoT is also evident across Africa, improving business environments and quality of life, as exemplified in countries such as Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt and Namibia.

The digital economy has the potential to substantially boost regional integration in Africa by encouraging collaboration, spurring economic growth, and surmounting traditional trade and communication barriers. High-speed internet, mobile networks and satellite communications can enhance interconnectivity among African nations. Improved connectivity facilitates communication, collaboration and the transnational exchange of goods, services and information. The application of digital technologies can expedite the implementation of initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, with e-commerce platforms and digital marketplaces providing businesses in various African countries with access to expanded markets beyond their national confines.

In the context of South-South cooperation, these digital platforms can be instrumental in sharing knowledge, best practices and resources among developing countries, thereby fostering collective growth and innovation. South-South cooperation, with its focus on collaboration among countries in the Global South, aligns with the vision of a digitally integrated Africa. It emphasizes mutual benefit and capacity building, which can be significantly enhanced through digital platforms that allow for the exchange of ideas and commerce among nations. Notably, China's involvement in promoting digital infrastructure development in Africa has been central to these efforts, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative and its contributions to South-South cooperation. As the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation approaches, there is an opportunity to deepen digital partnerships between Africa and China, enhancing the continent's digital transformation and fostering sustainable development through joint initiatives.

Moreover, digital payment systems such as mobile money and fintech solutions can promote financial inclusion and enable cross-border transactions. By offering secure and convenient payment options, digital financial services empower individuals and businesses to engage more fully in regional trade and commerce. Investing in digital infrastructure such as broadband networks, data centers and digital hubs is crucial for the nurturing of digital entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems across Africa. Such an environment can attract investment, generate employment and drive economic progress. To capitalize on these opportunities for enhancing regional integration, the African Union, governments, businesses and civil society must collaborate to invest in digital infrastructure, foster digital skills development and craft policies that encourage digital entrepreneurship and innovation.

Without a doubt, the digital economy is emerging as a transformative force capable of catalyzing regional integration and economic growth in Africa. It harbors the potential to bridge divides, forge alliances across borders and create a unified market that is resilient, competitive and innovative. As African nations embrace these technologies, they can catalyze South-South cooperation, tapping into a wealth of shared knowledge, resources and technological advancements. This collaborative approach, underpinned by digital innovation, is not merely a pathway to inclusive growth — it is a strategic imperative for Africa to assert its place in the global economy. It is through committed investment in digital infrastructure, concerted efforts in policy-making, and an unwavering dedication to capacity building that Africa will not only participate in, but also shape, the future digital landscape. The time is ripe for African leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and communities to seize the digital momentum, ensuring that the continent's integration and development are not just envisioned but vigorously pursued and realized.

Joseph Atta-Mensah is a senior fellow with the Centre for Economic Transformation, Ghana. Hany Besada is a visiting senior fellow with the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The authors contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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