Patcay.com – In a groundbreaking journey to propel Africa into the digital age, Chinese Tech and expertise have played a pivotal role in the continent’s transformation.
From erecting internet infrastructure to catalyzing e-commerce, facilitating mobile payments, and crafting digital entertainment platforms, Chinese companies are actively contributing to Africa’s digital evolution, bringing it on par with other global regions.
A remarkable milestone was achieved in December 2022 when high-speed internet connectivity reached Uhuru Peak, the summit of Africa’s tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, towering nearly 5,900 meters above sea level.
This initiative, part of the Tanzanian government’s National ICT Broadband Backbone Network project, was executed through collaboration between the Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation and the esteemed Chinese tech giant Huawei, which supplied the majority of the telecommunications equipment.
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The impact of this development extends beyond the thrill of sharing social media updates; it now enables climbers to seek help in emergencies. Sebastian Mbilinyi, a local guide, emphasized the heightened safety for mountaineers, stating, “It increases tourists’ sense of security, as we can now check information about weather and routes at any time during mountaineering.”
Another testament to Sino-African collaboration is the Botswana Digital Delta Data Center, spearheaded by the Botswanan branch of China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd. (CJIC).
Nestled in the Botswana Innovation Hub in Gaborone, the center, set to be the country’s largest upon completion, is poised to revolutionize Botswana’s digital landscape.
Zhu Yahan, the project manager, underscored the data center’s role in enhancing Botswana’s network data security and anticipates a substantial boost in internet speed, catalyzing the country’s digital economy. Keabetswe Segole, acting CEO of BoFiNet, remarked, “This center is a facility that we believe will transform the ICT ecosystem in Botswana.”
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A glaring reality persists: Africa’s internet infrastructure lags behind the global average. According to the International Telecommunications Union’s “Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures 2022” report, while two-thirds of the world’s population is online, Africa hovers at just 40 percent.
Since the inception of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000, Chinese companies have contributed significantly, aiding in the establishment of a communication backbone network spanning 150,000 km and servicing nearly 700 million user terminals, as highlighted in the “China and Africa in the New Era: A Partnership of Equals” white paper.
Humphrey Moshi, a professor of economics at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, affirmed, “China has actively participated in the construction of Africa’s internet infrastructure and provided ICT support to help African countries accelerate their integration into the global digital economy.”
The collaboration between China and Africa heralds a transformative era, where technology bridges gaps and propels the continent into a connected future.