As the backbone of the real economy, the manufacturing industry relies on digital information technology to drive its transformation and upgrading, thereby improving quality and efficiency. This is crucial for achieving high-quality economic development of China. Focusing on Anhui Province, this paper constructs a comprehensive evaluation system for the digital economy and manufacturing transformation. Using the entropy weight -TOPSIS method and the coupling coordination degree model, we calculate the development levels and coupling coordination degrees of these two aspects in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2020. Additionally, we employ the grey correlation model to identify key influencing factors. The results indicate that both the digital economy and manufacturing transformation levels in Anhui Province exhibit a growing trend, with the coupling coordination degree between them increasing annually. The high degree of grey correlation suggests that they have entered a stage of positive interaction. Therefore, it is imperative to align with the trends of digital economy development, strengthen top-level design, solidify the development foundation, enhance innovation leadership, empower industrial transformation, boost manufacturing resilience, and improve competitive advantage. These measures will provide valuable references for promoting the synergistic optimization of China's digital economy and manufacturing transformation.