Africa should learn from China to improve its digital economy.

By: Nicholas Dweh Nimley, Liberian Journalist & Researcher, Renmin University of China.
nimleynicholasd@ruc.edu.cn

From all indications, the digital revolution has transformed economies worldwide, thus empowering nations to improve traditional development models and embrace the digital era. China, with its remarkable progress in the digital economy, serves as an exemplary case study for Africa. As African nations strive for economic growth and development, it is worth noting that they can draw valuable lessons from China’s success in leveraging digital technologies to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth across the continent. We, as Africans, cannot do this in the absence of learning from China’s  experience and to adapt them to our context, something I strongly believe will pave the way for a prosperous digital future.

For example: exploring infrastructure development is important because it serves as one of the foundations of China’s digital success due to its robust infrastructure development. Africa can benefit greatly by emulating China’s, thereby focusing on expanding telecommunications networks, building reliable broadband connectivity, and investing in data centers. Also, by developing a solid digital infrastructure, African countries can bridge the digital divide, enhance internet penetration rates, and create an enabling environment for digital advancements. This can be done through the collaborative efforts between African governments, private sector entities, and international partners. These institutions can help fund and implement infrastructure projects to facilitate digital connectivity across the continent.

Moreover, E-commerce and Digital Payments: China’s thriving e-commerce sector, led by giants like Alibaba and JD.com, has revolutionized retail and transformed consumer behavior. This can also work in Africa, provided the countries of the continent learn from China’s success in this area and by promoting e-commerce as a catalyst for economic growth. African countries, through their governments, should also encourage entrepreneurship and provide support to local businesses in adopting digital platforms. With such investments, African countries can tap into the immense potential of online commerce. Don’t forget that everything is made easy through e-commerce. That’s why this sector is booming in China, and it is a perfect example we can copy and improve upon.
Let us not forget that it is crucial to facilitate secure and user-friendly digital payment systems, such as mobile money, to drive financial inclusion and empower individuals and businesses.

However, digital entrepreneurship and innovation are the third areas our focus should be.
Because China’s emphasis on digital entrepreneurship and innovation has propelled it to the forefront of global technology. Africa can learn from China’s experience in fostering a vibrant startup community by creating conducive environments for innovation. This, among others, includes investing in research and development, providing access to funding and mentorship, and promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and government. Encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting homegrown tech startups can drive job creation, attract investment, and foster homegrown solutions to Africa’s unique challenges.

Furthermore, E-government and Digital Services should be a key priority in this regard. The reason is that China’s successful implementation of e-government services has improved efficiency, reduced bureaucracy, and enhanced service delivery. African governments should prioritize digitizing public services, including education, healthcare, and public administration. For example: by leveraging digital platforms, governments can streamline processes, reduce corruption, and enhance citizen engagement. Investing in digital skills training and ensuring widespread access to digital services will empower our African citizens and drive socioeconomic development.

Then comes Artificial Intelligence and Big Data: When you do a thorough research, you will realized that China has made significant strides in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to drive innovation and economic growth. This is something Africa should prioritize in terms of developing AI capabilities and leveraging big data analytics to address pressing challenges such as healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure planning. Not much is being done in terms of investing in AI research and development, establishing data privacy regulations, and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government. These areas have huge advantages, and we should think about doing so in order to unlock the potential of these transformative technologies.

In addition, collaboration and knowledge sharing are important: Africa can learn from China’s collaborative approach to digital development. China has actively engaged in partnerships and shared its knowledge and expertise with other nations. African countries can benefit from collaborating with China and other international stakeholders to exchange best practices, promote technology transfer, and develop joint projects. Notwithstanding, fostering regional collaboration within Africa can facilitate knowledge sharing and promote the exchange of ideas and experiences.

To conclude, migrating to a digital economy comes with its own set of challenges, and Africa is no exception. While there are immense opportunities for growth and development, African countries must navigate several obstacles to successfully transition to a digital economy by exploring some of the potential challenges Africa may face.

1. Infrastructure Deficits: It is a known fact that limited access to reliable and affordable internet connectivity remains a significant challenge in many parts of Africa. Inadequate infrastructure, including limited broadband coverage and underdeveloped telecommunications networks, hinders the widespread adoption of digital technologies. Addressing infrastructure deficits requires substantial investments in expanding connectivity, building data centers, and improving power supply, which can strain the resources of African countries.

2. Financial Constraints: While financing the transition to a digital economy can be a major challenge for African countries, due to budgetary constraints and limited resources, developing robust digital infrastructure, promoting digital entrepreneurship, and investing in research and development all require significant financial commitments. And one of the ways of ensuring this is by securing funding from international partners, attracting private sector investments, and promoting innovative financing mechanisms become critical in overcoming financial barriers.

3. Digital Skills Gap: This is not a secret that the shortage of digital skills and technical expertise is a common challenge across Africa. We need to build a digital workforce with the necessary skills in areas such as coding, data analysis, and digital marketing for the successful adoption and implementation of digital technologies. Addressing the digital skills gap requires investing in education and training programs, promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, and fostering collaboration between academia and industry.

4. Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: The rapid digitization of economies can expose countries to cybersecurity threats and data privacy concerns. Because this is the future that we want, we must, as African countries, invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and digital transactions.

5. Inclusion and Accessibility: we must ensure that the benefits of the digital economy reach all segments of society bridging the digital divide issues of affordability, accessibility, and digital literacy, particularly for marginalized communities, rural areas, and underserved populations. Efforts should be made to provide affordable internet access, promote digital literacy programs, and develop user-friendly digital platforms that cater to diverse needs and languages.

The author: Nicholas Dweh Nimley is a Liberian journalist with over 15 years of practical experience in journalism and news writing. He’s currently a student and researcher at Renmin University of China.