The employees of Ahadi Corporation, a Chinese-owned internet services company in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, are installing wireless broadband network equipment. Photo: courtesy of Ahadi Corporation.

In Nairobi, the bustling capital of Kenya, one name is widely known and revered - Mr. Wifi. This nickname refers to Zhou Tao, the founder of Ahadi Corporation. Zhou's company is dedicated to offering affordable internet services and stands as a shining example of how China's "small and beautiful" livelihood projects are elevating China-Africa ties.
In 2020, Zhou and his team set sail on an ambitious digital odyssey with their visionary project, Konnect Internet. By integrating Wifi technology with the local optical fiber network, they brought cost-effective wireless broadband network services to local communities where high-speed internet remains a luxury rather than a necessity.

For many Kenyans, the digital divide seemed too wide to surmount. A family of three in Nairobi might spend around $25 per month on internet services, which is a big amount for households earning between $100 and $400 monthly.

However, Konnect Internet is trying to change the situation. 

By offering 50 gigabytes (GB) of data for $5 per month, it provides internet access at a rate much cheaper than what has been previously available. This groundbreaking affordability has greatly reduced the financial burden on Nairobi's low-to-middle-income families, giving them access to the vast and exciting world of the internet.

Small projects, big impact

In recent years, Chinese-funded "small and beautiful" livelihood projects in Africa have captured the spotlight alongside flagship megaprojects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). From nurturing agricultural innovation to boosting digital technology and green energy, these efforts have reaped tangible economic and social benefits, accelerating Africa's modernization.

Zhou told the Global Times that his firm has created over 5,000 jobs for local communities. "As of August, we have attracted more than 1.2 million users," he said, adding that he expects their service to reach more than 10 million people in Kenya and expand to 10 other African countries within the next five years.

"China's technology edge, large-scale production advantages, and the backing of BRI policies, coupled with Africa's immense market potential, has create a fertile ground for Chinese firms to achieve further growth on the continent," Zhou added.

Zhou's vision goes well beyond mere connectivity, embracing a wide range of local innovations. His company has also introduced a user-friendly community e-commerce platform and logistics services. 

Among their developments is a shared water dispenser that pairs high-flux water filters with QR code payments, giving residents easy access to clean, affordable drinking water. Additionally, they are creating a free mobile payment system to further promote digital transactions and improve financial accessibility.

Zhou's forward-thinking efforts not only tackle the immediate needs of residents while paving the way for a more interconnected and efficient community.

Countless stories like Mr.Wifi are quietly blooming across this vast land of hope, weaving together a rich tapestry of mutually beneficial China-Africa economic cooperation and painting a vibrant picture of shared prosperity.

In 2020, Li Yi, a former McKinsey consultant, traded her high-flying career for the sun-drenched fields of Kenya. With a vision as grand as the African horizon, she co-founded FarmWorks, an ambitious agricultural venture dedicated to empowering local smallholder farmers.

FarmWorks offers services from seeds and fertilizers to cutting-edge cultivation techniques and sales support, creating a complete agricultural value chain. This initiative has not only equipped local farmers with modern farming practices and boosted their household incomes but also successfully allowed them to export premium produce.

Li told the Global Times that she aspires to unlock the vast local market with a scalable, sustainable business model in Kenya.

"Our self-operated farm stands as a 'demonstration field' for skills training, conducting plant research, testing the latest technologies, installing equipment, and prepping our staff," Li said, adding that if successful, the model will be introduced to their partner smallholders.

Starting a business in Africa is no easy feat, but it's a thrilling journey full of opportunities, Li said. She proudly highlighted their pioneering work last year - partnering with the International Potato Center to build Africa's first solar-powered sweet potato storage facility.

"The facility uses solar energy and a water recycling system for power to maintain sweet potato quality. This sustainable innovation has been both exciting and deeply rewarding for me." Li told the Global Times.

Capacity building 

A recent report from China-Africa industry groups reveals that Chinese investment in Africa is shifting from traditional sectors like manufacturing and infrastructure to emerging fields such as healthcare, logistics, e-commerce, and agricultural processing.

This transition demonstrates that China-Africa economic cooperation under the BRI goes beyond relocating outdated industries; it focuses on forging innovative solutions tailored to the unique contexts and needs of both regions, according to the report.

African countries have witnessed a rising demand for technology transfer and capacity building in recent years, aligning with Chinese investment trends and BRI's broader objective of empowering locals through knowledge sharing and skill development, Zhang Jian, president of the Zambia Overseas Chinese Association told the Global Times.

Kassim Mohamed, a young Kenyan who once faced unemployment, set his new life path when a Chinese company in Kenya, Huawen Food, offered him a job. He pointed to the concrete benefits of such investment, noting that "Chinese companies have brought in lots of jobs, increased people's paychecks, and boosted local businesses, from hotels to shops."

In 2022, China gave green light to the import of wild Kenyan aquatic products that meet customs requirements, paving the way for stronger China-Arica blue economy cooperation. 

Riding the wave, Jinzai Food Corporation, the parent company of Huawen Food, set up a seafood processing factory in Kenya, bringing in advanced production methods and technologies to help cultivate the local industry chain and boost local employment. In 2023, this factory created over 150 local jobs, the company said. 

Now, the gateway to China-Africa blue economy cooperation is being opened further. 

China has partnered with nearly 20 African nations in aquaculture and commercial fishing, producing around 300,000 tons of seafood annually. Official projections show that by 2030, Africa's blue economy is poised to surge to $405 billion.

Mwangi Wachira, former economist at the World Bank and advisor to the Government of Kenya, told the Global Times that Africa, with its young population, expanding middle class, and abundant natural resources in high demand, is becoming a major driver of the global economy.

'Blue ocean' market

Transsion, China's mobile phone manufacturer, exemplifies Wachira's insights through its remarkable success in Africa. From the vibrant streets of Nairobi to the bustling neighborhoods of Lagos, the largest port city of Nigeria, Transsion's advertisements are impossible to miss.

In the second quarter of this year, the company captured more than 40 percent of the African smartphone market, maintaining its crown as the top player, according to data from market research firm Canalys.

This notable success can largely be attributed to the company's push for deep-rooted localization to meet the unique needs of the African market. "We have developed a local data production system that is both affordable and top-notch, powering multilingual voice assistants and translation tools," Arif Chowdhury, co-founder of Transsion Holdings, told the Global Times.

Transsion's supply chain, sales network, and after-sales service are also highly localized, with over 90 percent of its African workforce being local, according to Chowdhury. 

"Africa is the world's last 'blue ocean' market with over a billion people and a continent with the youngest population structure," Chowdhury noted, saying that the sweeping global digital transition is uncovering bright growth prospects for Africa's mobile internet industry.

From lush rice fields to the deep blue sea and the digital tech frontier, China-Africa economic cooperation is thriving across a wide range of sectors. This partnership vividly embodies the common aspirations and tireless efforts of both sides to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

China announced on Thursday its ten new partnership actions to jointly advance modernization with Africa, including a commitment to launch 1,000 "small and beautiful" livelihood projects across the continent in the coming years.

Trailblazers like Zhou and Li have felt the vibrant pulse of the African market and are gearing up to make their even deeper mark in this land of hope. 

"Africa is not a place where you can just snap your fingers and strike it rich," Li said, adding that she is nevertheless thrilled to tackle new challenges and is deeply inspired by the chance to make a real difference in local people's lives.

"For me, entering Africa means more than business, it's about having the patience and determination to truly put down roots in this promising land," Li said.