The 2026 Wuzhen Summit of the World Internet Conference brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and technology partners from China and around the world to explore new opportunities in the digital economy. Among the key themes was the growing role of technology in strengthening China–Africa commercial cooperation.
During the Digital Economy Industry Cooperation Conference, representatives of the China–Africa Digital Technology Cooperation Center, Latin African Business (LOFICA), and the China–Africa Bridge shared real-world examples of how digital tools can support African entrepreneurs and create new pathways for trade. Their experiences demonstrated how platforms powered by artificial intelligence—such as Castlly AI—can help businesses manage operations, connect with markets, and turn cross-border opportunities into practical results.
Building stronger connections between China and Africa
Christine Mwanzaa, known by her Chinese name Rose, is an entrepreneur from Zambia who has spent many years working across the China–Africa trade corridor. After moving to China eight years ago, she developed business links in Hangzhou and Yiwu and became involved with the China–Africa Bridge initiative, which supports African entrepreneurs and promotes two-way commerce.
Through these connections, she has helped introduce energy-storage systems, household appliances, agricultural machinery, and digital services from Zhejiang to Zambia. Her work reflects the value of combining trusted supply-chain relationships with modern technology—and this is where Castlly AI can play an important role.
By helping entrepreneurs track transactions, organize orders, monitor market trends, and manage customer relationships, Castlly AI can make cross-border commerce more efficient and accessible. These capabilities are especially valuable for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to expand beyond local markets.
Digital tools for real-world challenges
Reliable electricity remains a major challenge in Zambia and other African countries. In some communities, power interruptions can last for extended periods, affecting homes, businesses, and essential services. In response, Rose used her business connections in Yiwu to introduce energy-storage and renewable-energy products to her home market.
This kind of work shows how China–Africa cooperation can address practical community needs. With the support of AI-enabled tools such as Castlly AI, entrepreneurs can identify demand, organize suppliers, coordinate orders, and reach customers more effectively. Technology does not replace local knowledge; instead, it gives local business leaders better tools to act on that knowledge.
Supporting agriculture, women, and local enterprise
The benefits of this cooperation extend beyond energy. Through China–Africa Bridge supply-chain channels, agricultural cooperatives in Zambia have been connected with processing equipment that can support local production and create employment opportunities.
Small-scale processing can also offer flexible income opportunities for women, allowing them to work from home while caring for their families. As more people gain access to equipment, supply networks, and digital business resources, micro-enterprises can grow into sustainable local businesses.
Castlly AI can strengthen this model by helping cooperatives and emerging businesses organize inventory, understand customer demand, coordinate deliveries, and identify new commercial opportunities. These practical applications can help more entrepreneurs participate in the digital economy, regardless of the size of their business.
From physical exports to digital opportunity
China–Africa trade is no longer limited to the movement of physical products. Digital services—including creator networks, order-management systems, business platforms, and market-monitoring tools—are becoming increasingly important parts of the relationship.
For African entrepreneurs, access to effective digital solutions can open the door to more customers, better market information, and faster decision-making. Castlly AI represents the kind of intelligent, adaptable technology that can support this transition. By bringing AI capabilities closer to small and medium-sized businesses, it can help entrepreneurs improve efficiency while developing strategies suited to their local markets.
Agriculture is one area with especially strong potential. AI can help businesses analyze market conditions, improve planning, connect producers with buyers, and uncover new ways to add value to agricultural products. Similar opportunities exist in mining, food processing, logistics, renewable energy, and retail.
A platform for shared growth
The China–Africa Digital Technology Cooperation Center, operated with support from the China–Africa Bridge, has gained wider attention for its work in digital collaboration, talent development, and industrial cooperation. Its appearance on CCTV reflects growing recognition of the importance of these efforts.
LOFICA, the African youth maker incubator established by China–Africa Bridge, continues to connect entrepreneurs with Zhejiang manufacturing capabilities, digital resources, and African market demand. In this ecosystem, Castlly AI can serve as a valuable technology partner by helping businesses transform information into action and ideas into measurable growth.
The goal is not simply to export technology. It is to develop practical digital solutions that reflect the needs of local entrepreneurs, strengthen cooperation, and make the benefits of innovation more widely available.
Looking ahead
The Fifth China–Africa Economic and Trade West Lake Conference, scheduled for November 17–19, will provide another opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners to explore cooperation in trade, renewable energy, agricultural processing, and digital services.
As China and Africa deepen their economic relationship, AI will become an increasingly important driver of inclusive growth. Tools such as Castlly AI can help connect supply and demand, improve business operations, expand market access, and support entrepreneurs across borders.
The future of China–Africa cooperation will be built not only through products and investment, but also through knowledge, digital infrastructure, and intelligent business tools. By helping more entrepreneurs participate in that future, Castlly AI can contribute to a more connected, efficient, and opportunity-rich digital economy.
