Zhuhai-based XH Smart Tech (China) is about to settle a contract to produce 5-million-yuan ($745,200) work of telecom cards in North Africa's Republic of Tunisia under China's Belt & Road Initiative.

A global technology leader established eight years ago in the Zhuhai Free Trade Zone (Hengqin region), XH already has market leadership in Africa, where more than 600 million smart cards are released annually. Its business spans 20 African countries whereas XH products and services are widely deployed in more than 60 countries worldwide.

While Africa is a key B&R partner, Tunisia is situated on the Mediterranean Sea just south of Italy, which just (May 23) signed an agreement to cooperate on the initiative.

XH was attracted to the African market in 2015 – the same year it listed on China's National Equities Exchange & Quotation (NEEQ). Overcoming differences in business procedures and policies, XH Smart Technology Africa headquartered in Johannesburg now has automatic production lines operating with high efficiency, yielding annual output of over 30 million smart cards.

Social Security card developed by XH Smart for South Africa recognizes fingerprint [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

XH also provides end-to-end digital security solutions, IoT solutions, eUICC provisioning systems, and POS terminals.

Next, the company will introduce QR code payment and other mobile payment methods to Africa. XH will cooperate with a leading domestic electronic financial service provider, according to Feng Junteng, general sales manager of XH’s International Department.

China launched the Belt & Road Initiative in 2013 as a national strategy to build the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It augurs a higher level of China's Opening-Up Policy by improving regional cooperation and connectivity on a trans-continental scale.