Empowering sustainable agriculture in Africa through Sino-African digital cooperation: geopolitics, South–South collaboration, and strategic pathways to bridge the digital divide

Introduction Amid geopolitical restructuring, food security pressures, and the rise of the digital economy, this study examines how digital technologies can advance sustainable agriculture through Sino-African cooperation. We develop a comprehensive Strategic-Technological-Institutional-Outcome (STIO) framework to assess cross-dimensional interactions and governance implications. Methods Using the STIO framework, we conduct comparative case studies supported by field data from multiple African countries. Evidence is synthesized across digital infrastructure deployment, platform-based agricultural ecosystems, and inclusive digital finance initiatives to evaluate mechanisms and sustainability outcomes. Results Sino-African digital agricultural cooperation has shifted from unilateral technology transfer to a strategic initiative that increasingly co-shapes agri-governance arrangements. Three salient features emerge: (i) digital infrastructure as the foundational layer, (ii) platform-based ecosystems as coordination and scaling enablers, and (iii) inclusive digital finance as a key facilitator for adoption and risk-sharing. These mechanisms are associated with improved productivity, strengthened smallholder resilience, and accelerated low-carbon transitions. Persistent constraints include a pronounced digital divide, limited localization of technologies, insufficient data-governance frameworks, and rising geopolitical tensions. Discussion We propose “inclusive digital transformation” as a guiding concept and outline a four-pronged policy pathway: multi-level strategic alignment, adaptive technological innovation, blended financing mechanisms, and polycentric governance. The study offers an integrated analytical lens for Sino-African digital agricultural cooperation, with implications for South-South cooperation and progress toward the UN SDGs.