The African Union Commission and China based ZTE Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation in ICT and smart digital transformation of the continent. The Agreement was signed at ZTE headquarters in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China, between HE Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Dr Pang Shengqing, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Business.
The signing ceremony under ZTE’s slogan: Tomorrow Waits, is aimed at cooperating with the world’s top two optical network product and solution provider, ZTE to bring super smart, synergetic ICT network to contribute in the development agenda of Africa, notably Agenda 2063 and its Ten Year Implementation Plan.
ZTE and AUC mutually agreed to be partners in the areas of the Africa Center for Disease Control and ICT development. As an international ICT solution provider, ZTE has agreed to create opportunities within the framework of the MoU for trainings in ICT capabilities to Africans in general and to the AUC staff in particular.
Deputy Chairperson Mwencha expressed the hope that the cooperation with ZTE will among other things, help the AUC to improve the lives of the African population in all areas including health, education, environment, agriculture, transportation, through smart businesses aimed at facilitating the day to day activities. He said the ZTE undertook a smart approach to cooperate with the AUC at continental level as this will contribute to the transformation of the continent in line with the Aspiration of the Africa Agenda 2063.
According to ZTE’s Dr Pang, most African countries strive to establish smart cities given the advance technology now available worldwide. He reiterated his company’s commitment to cooperate with the AU Commission in the enhancement of renewable energy, provide solar systems and smart transportation means including the High Speed Train project of the African Union, smart street lights solutions and telecommunication services at affordable rates to facilitate interaction and communications between the African populations.
The AUC Deputy Chairperson commended China for the overall development support China provides to Africa in general, and to capacity building of the continent in information and communication technology sector in particular. He stated that the two sides have been cooperating in development programs under the Forum for China- Africa Cooperation.
Prior to the signing ceremony, the AUC delegation led by Deputy Chairperson Mwencha were introduced to the ZTE most updated technologies and inventions. The AUC delegation also visited the Shenzhen CDC where they met with the Director of the Center, Xia Junjie, and different Chinese highly qualified doctors responsible for various disease controls including AIDs known as the Red Ribbon Center.
