Recent decades have witnessed the African continent’s unprecedented development opportunities, and its economy has been steadily advancing in the tide of globalization. The significant increase in Africa’s population is a vital contributing factor. Africa’s population has quintupled since 1950 and is projected to double again between 2015 and 2050, reaching a staggering 4.2 billion by 2100. This large base provides a rich demographic dividend for African economies.
To recognize and take full advantage of this dividend, African countries need to recognize that demographic: windows of opportunity will not automatically translate into real drivers of economic growth. It is necessary to formulate and implement scientific social and economic development policies and systems according to national conditions to guide and promote the release of demographic dividend.
However, Africa’s economic structure is still highly dependent on exports of low value-added products and natural resources, which poses a potential threat to long-term sustainable development. In view of the limited natural resources and the negative impact of traditional energy on the environment, African countries should accelerate the shift to the development and utilization of renewable energy. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa has clearly identified renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and water as viable alternatives to meet the continent’s rapidly growing electricity demand. These clean energy sources are not only renewable and pollution-free, but also can effectively alleviate the problem of energy shortage and promote the green transformation of the economy. (Dan Zhou)
Kenya has launched a national Renewable Energy Plan with a goal of generating 100 percent clean energy by 2030. Among the various initiatives, the installed geothermal power generation capacity will reach 1,600 MW, accounting for 60% of the country’s power generation. Demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental management, Kumasi City Mall in Ghana also stands as a model for other retail centers to emulate. These plans will not only help optimize and upgrade its energy structure but also provide valuable experience for other African countries striving to adopt eco-friendly practices.

At present, Africa is mainly “integrated marginalization”. Africa is highly integrated into the world economy, but its share in the world economy, trade and investment is still low. This has a lot to do with Western colonial history. On one hand, Western colonial rule resulted in a single agricultural production system in many African countries, with a high proportion of export-oriented cash crops. On the other hand, there is a lack of transport infrastructure within Africa. The infrastructure built during the Western colonial period was distinctly exploitative, with railways or roads running directly from mining or cash-crop producing areas to ports. To change this, the AU’s Agenda 2063 needs to be concretely implemented. In addition, the African internal market faces serious problems of product homogeneity, which limits the diversification and vitality of the market and hinders the development of intra-regional trade. In order to achieve product differentiation, innovative design, unique brand and advanced production technology need to be introduced to form competitive advantages and meet the diversified needs of consumers. (Haifang Liu)
So, it is necessary to vigorously promote the establishment and development of a digital economy foundation. However, the existing problems include:
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1. The construction of digital infrastructure is unbalanced:
Africa’s digital infrastructure is significantly unbalanced and lagging behind. Northern Africa leads the way in broadband penetration, but lags behind the south and west in mobile network use. South Africa is far ahead in southern Africa, while Central Africa is the most backward, which seriously restricts the development of digital economy. This imbalance brings challenges, and it is necessary to increase investment and construction to promote balanced and rapid development of digital infrastructure.
2. Unbalanced R&D capacity of digital technology:
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According to relevant data from UNCTAD, there are differences in frontier science and technology capabilities among African regions. In the past decade, Southern Africa has developed rapidly in technology, and is tied with Northern Africa for the lead, but its R&D capacity is weak. Northern Africa is technically balanced but brain drained; East and West Africa have similar technology maturity but lack of application; Central Africa is short of R&D financing, declining technology application and weak digital economy development. Overall, Africa’s technology maturity is rising, but the application scenarios need to be strengthened.
3. The degree of integration between digital technology and industry is unbalanced:
Northern Africa has a developed ICT industry; Southern Africa has large markets but weak productivity; East Africa’s midstream industry, with declining exports and an advantage in services; Western and Central Africa are the least developed, with central Africa particularly lagging behind. On the whole, the development of Africa’s digital industry needs to strengthen cooperation and innovation and improve integration. (Yuan Li)


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To solve the above problems, we need to digitally drive industrial upgrading, build diversified financing models, and avoid digital infrastructure being completely controlled by foreign capital. Stabilize energy supply and seek secure and low-cost data center construction.
We will invest in the construction of optical fiber network connectivity and power supply facilities, including submarine cables, terrestrial optical fiber, national backbone networks, satellite links and Internet exchange points, to speed up information transmission and expand the coverage of Internet services. In addition to focusing on investing in mobile operation centers and content product research and development to improve users’ experience and innovate service content and form.
In addition, African countries should actively seek international cooperation. Partners need to look at Africa’s needs rather than its natural resources. We will strive to foster a stable domestic policy environment and an open international economic environment. To enhance the confidence of investors, attract more foreign capital and technology into the African market, and realize the optimal allocation of resources and rapid economic growth. (Weicai Liu)
The Belt and Road Initiative provides a valuable platform for African countries to cooperate. African countries can take advantage of China’s capital, technology and production capacity to improve the production technology and management capabilities of industrial and trade enterprises and lay a foundation for the cultivation of new forms of business.
In conclusion, the sustainable development of Africa’s economy needs to seize the opportunity of demographic dividend, deepen the application of renewable energy, accelerate the construction of digital economy infrastructure, actively integrate into the global economic system, and introduce advanced technology capital through international cooperation. Together, these strategic initiatives will drive Africa’s transition to green, efficient, and inclusive economic growth. We believe that the African economy will enter a new era of rapid growth and green development, showing unprecedented vitality and potential.
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Works Cited
Liu, Haifang, et al. “Africa is finding its place again on the platform of economic globalization”, World Affairs ,2023(01),19.
Liu, Weicai. “Structural transformation Remains the biggest challenge – Africa in Transition: Economic Development in Uncertain Times” China Investment, 2024(Z1),100.
Li, yuan, Hongju Wang. “The foundation of Africa’s digital economy development and the new vision of China-Africa cooperation on the Digital Silk Road”, Development Finance Research, 2024(02),36.
Zhou, Dan. “Profit Model Analysis of New Energy Storage Projects under Multiple Scenarios and the Suggestions for Cost Compensation Mechanism” Sino-Global Energy, 2024 ,29(02),22.