Read in
China’s expertise and technological advancements serve as a valuable guide for Africa’s agricultural modernization, driven by industrialization, energy development, and the enhancement of human capital, according to a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) official.
Dejene Tezera, director of UNIDO’s Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development Division, recently shared that China’s knowledge, technology, and resources position it well to support Africa’s sustainable development. Collaboration in areas like agriculture, industry, energy, capacity building, and digitalization offers promising opportunities.
The China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence, inaugurated in November 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, acts as a practical platform to advance Africa’s sustainable development goals. It focuses on promoting industrialization, modernizing agriculture, and developing skills to address critical challenges such as low industrialization, agricultural productivity, and a shortage of skilled human resources.
Despite Africa’s abundant uncultivated arable land, water resources, and highly trainable youth, agricultural productivity remains comparatively low. To tackle this, coordinated efforts are essential, Tezera emphasized.
The center exemplifies South-South cooperation, with China providing knowledge, technology, and resources, Ethiopia offering infrastructure and support, and UNIDO facilitating technical assistance and coordination. This collaboration aims to shift African agriculture from demand-driven production to a more modern and commercialized system.
Tezera highlighted the potential for increased agricultural productivity through targeted technology transfers. China’s experience in agricultural development and industrialization, particularly through industrial parks and zones, could inspire Africa’s progress. Such approaches may enable Africa to leapfrog into modern agricultural practices and industrialization.
The energy sector plays a crucial role, with China’s renewable energy expertise—spanning solar, wind, and hydropower—offering tailored solutions to meet Africa’s unique energy needs. These technologies will be gradually introduced across African countries through the center of excellence, adapting to specific contexts.
Initially focused on Ethiopia, the center plans to expand by establishing satellite centers in other African nations, contributing further to sustainable development. China is also providing significant financial resources to ensure the effective transfer of practical technologies