Beijing recently hosted the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum), a premier global gathering of policymakers, business leaders, international organizations and researchers to explore the transformative potential of science and technology. Under the theme “New Quality Productive Forces and Global Science and Technology Cooperation,” this year’s discussions emphasized how digital science and technology can drive sustainable development worldwide. The forum showcased pioneering solutions that could present significant opportunities for Africa in areas such as environmental conservation, agriculture, and economic transformation.
A major highlight of the forum was the introduction of the Beijing Initiative on Digital Science and Technology for Sustainable Development, a framework advocating global cooperation in leveraging digital innovations such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), space technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies are expected to address key global challenges, including biodiversity loss, climate change, disaster risk reduction, and poverty alleviation.
Guo Huadong, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director-general of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, emphasized the growing role of digital technologies in advancing sustainability efforts. He pointed to the achievements of SDGSAT-1, the world’s first satellite dedicated to monitoring progress toward the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since its launch in 2021, the satellite has provided more than 420,000 free datasets, which have been used in urban planning, environmental monitoring, agricultural assessment, and disaster response, including in Africa.
“We believe open data access and international collaboration are essential for tackling sustainability challenges,” Guo stated during his keynote speech.
The forum also showcased advancements in AI and robotics, demonstrating the growing potential of these technologies in various sectors. More than 100 robots from 15 companies were displayed, highlighting rapid progress in humanoid robotics, intelligent automation, and AI-driven solutions. These innovations are expected to revolutionize industries such as healthcare, logistics, and precision agriculture, sectors where African nations could benefit from increased collaboration with China.
According to industry experts at the forum, AI applications in Africa could enhance food security by providing smart agricultural monitoring systems, predictive analytics for climate resilience, and automation in farming. AI-driven health technologies could also help improve diagnostic capabilities and bridge gaps in medical expertise across the continent.
China’s Major Investments in Global Technology Partnerships.
A key business-focused segment of the forum was the “Invest in Beijing” event, where China unveiled 215 investment cooperation projects totaling 95.45 billion yuan ($13.36 billion). These projects span various sectors, including digital infrastructure, AI, and sustainable energy, demonstrating China’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships through technology-driven development.
For Africa, this investment push represents an opportunity to tap into China’s growing digital ecosystem. Countries across the continent are already partnering with Chinese firms to develop smart cities, expand internet connectivity, and implement e-governance solutions. Expanding these partnerships could accelerate digital transformation in Africa, fostering inclusive growth and sustainable economic development.
The discussions at the ZGC Forum underscored Africa’s increasing role in global tech cooperation. African policymakers and business leaders in attendance explored potential collaborations with Chinese technology firms to drive homegrown innovations and tailor digital solutions to the continent’s unique challenges.
The China-Africa Cooperation on Digital Economy Initiative, launched in previous years, continues to provide a framework for such collaborations. Under this initiative, African countries have benefited from investments in fiber-optic networks, mobile payment systems, and cloud computing. The forum provided an opportunity to reinforce these efforts and explore new areas of cooperation, particularly in AI-driven agriculture, smart infrastructure, and climate resilience technologies.
Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing said while addressing the forum’s opening ceremony that China is willing to work with other countries to explore new models of mutually beneficial and win-win sci-tech cooperation, in order to drive the development of new quality productive forces amid the deepening new round of sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation.
The 2025 Zhongguancun Forum has reaffirmed China’s vision for a shared digital future, and for Africa, this presents an opportune moment to engage, learn, and innovate in partnership with one of the world’s leading technology powerhouses. The coming years will determine how effectively Africa can harness these opportunities to drive sustainable development and economic prosperity.
