Wired Alliance: China and Africa Deepen Digital Ties in Strategic Tech Push

YAOUNDÉ / BEIJING — May 8, 2025

China is ramping up its investment in Africa’s digital transformation, marking a bold new phase in Sino-African cooperation that stretches far beyond roads and ports.

In a move aimed at reshaping the continent’s digital future, Beijing is backing national broadband cable projects, smart city infrastructure, and cloud computing hubs across Africa. The initiative, part of a broader “Digital Silk Road” strategy, is gaining momentum in nations like Cameroon, Kenya, and Ethiopia—where Chinese firms are laying fiber, deploying 5G towers, and supporting e-government platforms.

"Digital development is the new frontier," said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Communication in Cameroon. "We are not just building cables; we’re building the future."

At the heart of this collaboration are Chinese tech giants such as Huawei and ZTE, who are supplying infrastructure and technical know-how—often backed by concessional loans and strategic financing from state-owned banks.

But the high-speed rollout isn’t without scrutiny. Critics point to growing concerns over data sovereignty, privacy, and the role of foreign actors in managing sensitive infrastructure. African policymakers are now racing to update legal frameworks, from cybersecurity legislation to data protection laws, to safeguard national interests.

“Ownership of infrastructure is one thing, but control of data is another,” said Melvin James, Senior Partner at Banga Assam Honorine E. & Associates, a law firm advising governments on tech-related investment law. “African states must ensure contracts address data governance, dispute resolution, and fair procurement.”

Despite the concerns, the appetite for digital growth is undeniable. The continent’s rapidly expanding population and mobile-first economy make it fertile ground for tech expansion, and China is eager to be part of the transformation.

The stakes are high—not just economically, but geopolitically. As the U.S. and Europe cautiously watch China’s rising influence, Africa finds itself in the middle of a global tech race.

For now, the cables are being laid, the servers are being installed, and a new digital era is being written—one connection at a time.