Hangzhou Hosts 2026 China–Africa Digital Capacity-Building Conference as Cooperation Center Opens
More than 300 representatives attended the conference and related activities in Hangzhou on August 27–28, marking the official opening of the China–Africa Digital Technology Cooperation Center.
The 2026 China–Africa Digital Capacity-Building Cooperation Conference and related activities took place in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on August 27–28. Xiong Jijun, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, attended the conference, while He Zhongwei, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, attended related activities.
The conference represented a practical step toward implementing President Xi Jinping’s initiative to jointly establish a China–Africa Digital Technology Cooperation Center, announced at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation. Under the theme “Strengthening Cooperation in Digital Capacity Building and Jointly Seizing Opportunities in the Digital Era,” the conference sought to build consensus on digital development and explore the future of China–Africa digital cooperation. It brought together more than 300 participants, including representatives of governments, businesses and think tanks from 18 African countries and four international organizations, alongside representatives of Chinese authorities responsible for digital affairs, think tanks and enterprises. Concurrent events included the first meeting of the China–Africa Digital Cooperation Partnership Committee, an advanced training program on digital development and transformation in Africa, and a China–Africa digital industry matchmaking event. The China–Africa Digital Technology Cooperation Center was officially inaugurated during the conference.
During the conference, Xiong Jijun held a group meeting with Ateny, South Sudan’s Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services; Ghandour, Sudan’s Minister of Digital Transformation and Communications; Nthite, Botswana’s Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovation; Tarawally, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation; and Omo, Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union. They exchanged views on further deepening China–Africa digital cooperation and jointly developing the China–Africa Digital Technology Cooperation Center.
Representatives from relevant departments of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce, as well as officials from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, participated in the related activities.
Source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China (MIIT)