By Senior Editor, China Africa News
SHANGHAI, China,July 17,2026 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday unveiled a broad artificial intelligence cooperation initiative aimed at expanding access to AI technology in developing countries, placing Africa and other regions of the Global South at the centre of Beijing’s effort to shape the future rules of the technology.
Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi announced that China would provide 5,000 AI training and exchange opportunities for developing countries over the next five years. He also pledged support for international AI cooperation centres with regional organisations, including the African Union, as part of a wider push to increase technology sharing and participation in global AI development.
The announcement reflects China’s effort to present itself as a partner for countries that have struggled to gain access to advanced technologies dominated by a small group of wealthy nations and companies. Beijing has increasingly framed AI cooperation as a development issue, arguing that emerging economies should have a greater voice in setting international standards.
Xi also announced that China would expand access to an AI-powered weather forecasting and early-warning system to 30 countries, saying the technology could help governments improve disaster preparedness and respond to climate-related risks.
The Chinese leader called for stronger international coordination on AI governance and backed the creation of a more inclusive global framework for managing the technology. Beijing has promoted the idea of a broader international AI cooperation mechanism, arguing that developing countries should not be excluded from decisions about how artificial intelligence is regulated.
For Africa, the announcements add a new technology dimension to a relationship that has traditionally focused on infrastructure, trade, energy and natural resources. The African Union’s inclusion among potential partners highlights Beijing’s interest in working with continental institutions as it expands its digital diplomacy.
The commitments, however, remain largely focused on future cooperation rather than immediate country-specific projects. No major new Africa-China AI agreements were announced at the Shanghai conference, and the impact of the initiatives will depend on how they are implemented, funded and translated into practical programmes.
The AI push comes as countries around the world compete to influence the development of a technology expected to reshape industries, government services and economic growth. For African nations, greater access to AI training and digital infrastructure could create new opportunities, but policymakers also face questions over data governance, local capacity and dependence on foreign technology providers.
