A new era of digital collaboration between China and Africa took centre stage this week as Ubuntu AI, an intelligent knowledge platform dedicated to African regional and country studies, made its official debut on the continent. The launch took place during the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference, held on 13 November 2025 in Johannesburg.
The conference gathered more than 200 delegates from over 160 media organisations, think tanks, government departments and institutions across China, 41 African countries, and the African Union. Under the theme “Reform of the Global Governance System: New Roles and Missions of China-Africa Cooperation,” participants explored how global governance is shifting and how China and Africa can together help shape a more balanced international order.
Ubuntu AI — jointly developed by the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University and Zhejiang International Communication Center (ZICC) — emerged as one of the forum’s most talked-about innovations. Delegates who tested the platform praised its ability to merge multilingual news, think tank research, cultural knowledge bases and policy analysis into a single intelligent system designed to support decision-making and knowledge sharing.
A Tool Aligned With Africa’s Philosophies and Global South Aspirations
The naming of the platform after the African humanist philosophy “Ubuntu” — meaning “I am because we are” — resonated strongly with participants. It reflects not only Africa’s collective worldview but also parallels China’s concept of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace.
Experts at the conference agreed that such a tool arrives at a crucial moment. Leslie Richer, AU Director of Information and Communication, noted that as the international landscape undergoes major transformation, stronger ties between African and Chinese media and research institutions are essential for creating a fairer global discourse system.
Liu Hongwu, Director of the Institute of African Studies and a senior expert at ZICC, echoed this, emphasising that genuine global governance reform requires intellectual contributions from both China and Africa. He called for the continued strengthening of cooperation platforms and highlighted the need for telling each other’s stories through accessible knowledge tools.
ZICC’s Expanding Role in China-Africa Communication
For Zhejiang’s media and research community, the debut of Ubuntu AI marks the latest milestone in a long history of China-Africa engagement. ZICC, formerly the overseas edition of Zhejiang Daily, has collaborated with African media since the early 2000s. Over the years, it has established partnerships across the continent, including with the Kenya Editors’ Guild, and set up liaison stations in Egypt and South Africa.
These sustained efforts paved the way for deeper collaboration with the Institute of African Studies, ultimately inspiring the creation of Ubuntu AI. Recently upgraded and showcased at the 2025 China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum in Xiamen, the application now serves as a strategic digital bridge for China-Africa cultural and academic exchanges.
The platform’s reach continues to grow. During the Johannesburg conference, Ubuntu AI expanded its database with the successful integration of African Times’ media archive — a move that significantly boosts the platform’s on-the-ground African perspectives.
Positive Reception From China-Africa Thought Leaders
Participants at the forum expressed strong support for the application. Former South African diplomat Gert Grobler described Ubuntu AI as “a catalyst for advancing China-Africa relations,” while Peter Kagwanja, Director of the Africa Policy Institute, praised its name and cultural relevance, saying it would help global audiences gain a deeper understanding of Africa.
The platform’s multilingual capability and open, international orientation position it as a valuable resource for researchers, media professionals, policy analysts and corporate users across both continents.
A Joint Commitment to Knowledge Building and Governance Reform
The forum culminated in the release of a key think tank report — Building “New Global Leadership”: A Joint Action for a More Just and Reasonable Global Governance System — alongside the launch of the Global South Media Think Tank Cooperation Network and the 2026 China-Africa Partnership Empowerment Action Plan.
With Ubuntu AI at the centre of their future collaboration, ZICC and the Institute of African Studies reaffirmed their commitment to building stronger China-Africa knowledge systems. Their shared goal is to contribute research, tools and insights that empower the Global South to play a greater role in shaping the evolving global governance landscape.
For China-Africa Online News, Ubuntu AI’s debut represents more than a technological breakthrough — it is a symbol of a growing intellectual partnership and a tangible example of how digital innovation can support the shared aspirations of two regions working together for an inclusive global future.
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