In 2022, Alibaba Group and the United Nations international Trade Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to leverage the strengths of both parties and jointly support the participation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in global digital trade, contribute to digital poverty reduction, and promote sustainable development in developing countries.

Alibaba Digital County partnering with International Trade Centre (ITC) to explore models of cooperation and digital poverty alleviation for developing countries in Africa

Alibaba Digital County cooperated with the United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC) to promote China's experience in rural industry revitalization, agricultural product uploading, and government-enterprise cooperation to more developing countries.

We hope to cooperate in three areas: First, digitally upgrading Ethiopia's unique product, the Ethiopian highland coffee, including product upgrading supply chain optimization, e-commerce marketing, and other sectors. Second, conducting e-commerce thematic trainings for African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs so that they can better understand the Chinese market. Third, promoting exchanges and cooperation with government officials of African countries and jointly exploring modes of assisting in poverty alleviation in Africa through digital approaches to promote sustainable development.

Share China's experience in rural revitalization through digitizing upgrading of unique products, SMEs training, and international government-enterprise communication

Helping digitize African products

Based on Alibaba’s experience in digital rural revitalization Alibaba Digital County created new packaging and brand stories for Ethiopian highland coffee and came up with supply chain optimization and online and offline digital marketing planning to enhance the digital sales of the products. 

Providing Training for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Developing Countries to Raise E-commerce Awareness

In June 2022, the two parties launched a special training program on "Brand Positioning in the Chinese Market" during which Alibaba shared business insights on the development of China's consumer market consumer insights, and trends in upgrading agricultural products. More than 50 SMEs from developing countries in Africa and Southeast Asia participated to gain a better understanding of the Chinese market.

Promoting International Government-Enterprise communication to Expand Cooperation

In August 2022, the two parties held an African Ambassador Panel discussion to exchange experiences on digital support for rural revitalization with ambassadors and officials from eight African countries, including Mauritius, Mozambique, Madagascar, Ethiopia Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda and Nigeria. Alibaba also explored the development of training programs for small and medium-sized enterprises and agricultural enterprises to promote local e-commerce-development.

In the sub-forum "Digital Economy Opening and Governance" of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum at the 5th China International Import Expo in Shanghai held in November 2022, the Alibaba Digital County department and ITC shared China's experience in digital support for rural revitalization.

China's Experience in Digital Support for Rural Revitalization is being Shared

The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) was officially launched in 2015 and has become the most important global development agenda and consensus. Proposed in 2019 by President Xi Jinping, the Global Development Initiative is the latest will and action plan to consolidate global consensus on SDGs. China's rapid economic development particularly its efforts to revitalize rural areas with the collective efforts of the entire society, has accumulated valuable experience in advancing SDGs and provided practical and replicable reference for the world. The cooperation cases and achievements of the Alibaba Digital County department and ITC have been widely disseminated by various media outlets and official organizations, such as CCTV the China International Import Expo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ITC headquarters. It has enhanced the impact of digital support for rural revitalization.