CAPE TOWN, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's rapid advances in robotics are creating significant opportunities for Africa, particularly South Africa, across multiple areas, a Cape Town-based China-Africa expert has said.
"Robotics has enormous potential for Africa's development," Farhana Paruk, who has studied China and China-Africa relations for more than 20 years since she visited China in 2005, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Paruk said China's achievements in robotics have been "remarkable," noting that the country has evolved from a manufacturing powerhouse into a global leader in advanced technologies, including robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).
Citing data from the International Federation of Robotics, Paruk noted that China installed approximately 295,000 industrial robots in 2024, accounting for 54 percent of global installations and bringing the country's operational stock of industrial robots to more than two million.
"What impresses me most is the speed at which China transforms innovation into practical applications," she said, adding that robotics is no longer confined to factories but is increasingly being used in healthcare, logistics, education, agriculture and everyday life.
The integration of robotics, AI and industrial digitalization was also showcased at the 2026 World Robot Conference and the second World Humanoid Robot Games, both held in Beijing in August.
According to Paruk, China's distinctive strength lies in its ability to combine research, manufacturing capacity and market demand, allowing new technologies to be scaled "quickly and effectively."
She said China's robotics development reflects a combination of "vision, policy consistency, investment, and talent development," while government support, a strong manufacturing base and investment in education, research and skills development have created an ecosystem conducive to technological advancement.
"For Africa and particularly South Africa, Chinese advances in robotics could help address chronic weaknesses in manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, mining and skills development," Paruk said.
In agriculture, according to her, Chinese robotics and AI-powered systems could help African farmers respond to labor shortages, water constraints, poor logistics and unpredictable weather.
"Robotic systems linked to artificial intelligence could support precision planting, targeted irrigation, crop monitoring and the early detection of disease," Paruk said, adding that small agricultural drones and automated equipment could help farmers use fertilizer, pesticides and water more efficiently.
Healthcare is another area with major potential, particularly given shortages of doctors, nurses, technicians and specialized medical services in many African countries, Paruk said, noting that robotics "can extend the reach of limited professional capacity."
Remote diagnostic tools, automated laboratory equipment, rehabilitation devices and robotic systems for hospital logistics could reduce workloads and improve access to healthcare, while in rural areas, robotics integrated with telemedicine could help health workers collect and transmit information to specialists in urban centers, she said.
Paruk also highlighted the potential of Chinese robotics in Africa's mining industry, where automation could directly enhance occupational health and safety.
"Autonomous vehicles, remote-controlled drilling systems, robotic inspection equipment and underground sensing technologies could reduce workers' exposure to rockfalls, heat, dust and explosive conditions," she said.
South Africa, in particular, is well positioned to benefit from China's robotics advances because of its relatively advanced industrial base, established universities, mining expertise and substantial automotive sector, Paruk noted.
She said robotics could help South Africa modernize manufacturing, strengthen local component production and improve the competitiveness of its vehicle, minerals-processing and renewable-energy industries.
"Chinese technology partnerships could also assist South Africa in developing smart factories, machine-vision systems and automated maintenance capabilities," she said.
Paruk further said cooperation between China and African countries should extend beyond the purchase of machines to research, education, skills development and technology transfer.
"African universities and research institutions could work more closely with Chinese counterparts on joint research projects and innovation programs," she said, adding that partnerships could also focus on training engineers, technicians and young entrepreneurs.
Chinese and African companies could likewise work together to develop robotics solutions tailored to African needs, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure, Paruk said.
"Such cooperation would not only strengthen Africa's technological capabilities but also contribute to shared growth and mutually beneficial development between China and Africa," she added. ■