Global ICT infrastructure provider and smart devices maker Huawei is celebrating 20 years of operations in Africa.
The continent was among the first markets the China-based firm chose as a launch pad for its global operations.
Over the years, Huawei has enjoyed tremendous growth in Africa, playing a crucial role in integrating technology and connectivity.
The first team was sent to Africa in 1998, with business partnerships growing with a number of countries.
Huawei Southern Africa president Li Peng said over the two decades of working with partners to enhance ICT infrastructure and empower African people, Huawei has witnessed and contributed to changes and progress that had revolutionized the way people connect, learn and entertain.
“We are committed to leapfrogging the process of building a better-connected Africa,” Li said.
He was speaking while receiving an Award of Excellence from South Africa’s minister for Telecommunications and Postal services Dr. Siyabonga Cwele.
The minister pointed out that Huawei had boosted ICT infrastructure in the region, deploying first 2G, 3G, 4G and 4.5G networks respectively in various countries and conducted Africa’s first outdoor 5G field trial.
In addition to providing customers with communications networks, Huawei proactively fulfills its corporate social responsibility using its core technologies and capabilities.
It has two innovation centres and four training centres in the region, enabling the firm to develop and nurture an ecosystem for joint efforts with industrial and academic partners in tailoring ICT solutions bridging the digital divide and building a strong ICT talent pool.
“Huawei will continue its contribution to growing Africa’s telecoms industries and fully releasing ICT’s enabling power,” Peng said.
