China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd. (China Unicom) is proactively advancing the construction of the Digital Silk Road, serving over 100 enterprises in more than 20 African countries.
Shouldering responsibilities to improve living standards
China Unicom has participated in building a smart warehouse project, with a storage capacity of 150 million doses of vaccines, making it the largest vaccine storage center in Africa. This facility is expected to significantly enhance Egypt’s vaccine cold chain storage and transportation capabilities, further strengthening Africa’s vaccine supply chain.
China Unicom also developed an IoT-based intelligent warehouse management system for the project. By incorporating sensors, wireless communication and cloud computing technologies into warehouse management, the system automates operations from inbound to outbound storage, improving efficiency and reducing operating costs. It ensures vaccine safety and enables comprehensive lifecycle monitoring of the cold chain process.
The system also automates inventory management and reduces manual labor, cutting management costs while enhancing efficiency, controllability and safety.
Offering solutions to boost smart manufacturing
The successful ignition of the fiberglass production line at China Jushi Co., Ltd.(China Jushi), a subsidiary of China National Building Material Company Limited, marks a significant milestone. Once operational, the fiberglass base of China Jushi’s Egypt company will have an annual production capacity of 340,000 tons, making it the largest fiberglass production facility on the continent of Africa.
To support China Jushi in addressing security challenges, China Unicom installed a digital security system at two factory locations. The LED display system in the main factory allows real-time monitoring of the entire site, enabling proactive management of security issues.
China Unicom also carried out extensive digital upgrades in older manufacturing facilities, including server room renovations, installation of UPS systems, precision air conditioning and modern cabinets. These upgrades have transformed the factory’s infrastructure, enabling comprehensive wired network coverage and integrated cabling, while also preparing the factory for future capacity expansions and equipment upgrades.
Innovative technology sets the benchmark for vehicle networking projects
China Unicom’s vehicle networking wireless communication project at the Boffa bauxite mine in Guinea, located on the coast of West Africa, integrates a range of advanced technologies such as 5/4G-NSA systems, microwave transmission systems, video surveillance, VHF communication, vehicle tracking, fuel theft prevention and load measurement systems.
At both the port and mining sites, China Unicom deployed cloud-based cameras on communication towers, utilizing cloud computing to support vehicle tracking system infrastructure. The project integrates 5/4G-NSA and expanded VHF systems to interconnect with existing networks, enabling dispatch control, vehicle monitoring, e-gates and geofencing. In the dispatch command center, two LED screens provide real-time access to vehicle locations and video surveillance. On vehicles, China Unicom installed tracking devices, which transmit data to the platform server for algorithmic processing and graphical visualization.
The Boffa bauxite mine area now provides vehicle networking services for over 10,000 commercial vehicles, enabling performance monitoring and fault detection, thus reducing manual processes and enhancing automation.
China Unicom will continue to leverage its strengths in network, data and technology to build a cooperative framework based on complementary advantages and shared value creation. Together, these efforts will shape a bright future for open, win-win cooperation between China and Africa.
(Executive editor: Zhu Zeya)
