Industry News

The Chief Executive Officer of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, has called for a fundamental rethink of Ghana’s education system, warning that widening gaps between academic training and industry needs risk undermining national development.

Speaking at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) Public Lecture Series 2026 on Friday, April 10, she described the forum as “a national conversation” that extends beyond academia and demands urgent reflection on how the country prepares young people for the future.

“I thank the leadership of the University for this important national conversation,” she said.

“I refer to it as a national conversation deliberately because this goes beyond an academic gathering. This is the kind of platform that places demand on our country to think about systems preparing our young people and whether we are moving at the same speed as the future approaching them.”

Ing. Obo-Nai praised UEW for its central role in shaping Ghana’s educational foundation, noting that teacher training institutions have a far-reaching impact on society.

“UEW has long carried a unique responsibility in Ghana’s educational journey because training teachers is shaping generations,” she stated. “You shape how our children first learn confidence. You shape how our curiosity is formed. And you shape how young people begin to imagine possibilities.”

She stressed that education must remain relevant in a rapidly changing world shaped by technology, inequality, and shifting economic demands.

According to her, failure to adapt curricula to contemporary realities risks creating a disconnect between learning and employability.

“The word that stands out in the theme is rethinking,” she noted, referring to the lecture topic Empowering Minds: Rethinking Education for Sustainable Development. “It means asking whether systems designed for one era are still fit for another.”

“The skills that industries demand, including mine, are evolving faster than many curricula in technology is changing. If education remains unchanged whilst everything around it changes, we are creating a gap between learning and relevance.”

She warned that the consequences of such a gap are already visible. “Students feel it first, employers feel it next, and eventually the economy feels it most.”

Ing. Obo-Nai also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, arguing that no single institution can address the challenges of skills development alone.

“Industry must participate by helping shape graduate readiness for work,” she said.

Highlighting Telecel Ghana’s interventions in education and skills development, she outlined several initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between classroom learning and workplace demands.

She mentioned the company’s Next Generation Graduate Programme, which she said is designed “to transition students from university to professional life through practical work experience and structured mentoring.”

She also highlighted the Telecel Female Engineering Scholarship Programme, which has run for nearly a decade.

“We are intentional about investing in the future of women in engineering by supporting them financially in their final year and providing them with valuable work exposure through internships,” she said.

According to her, gender inclusion in technical fields is critical to innovation. “When women remain in engineering, sectors become stronger, solutions broader, and industries more representative of the society they serve.”

Ing. Obo-Nai further referenced the Telecel Digitech Academy, implemented in partnership with the Ghana Education Service and the National STEM Centre, which has trained about 2,000 students across 13 regions in robotics, coding and web design.

She described the initiative as part of Ghana’s necessary “digital shift,” adding that students have developed innovative solutions including automated irrigation systems, bushfire-fighting robots, assistive tools for persons with visual impairments, flood detection systems and wind energy prototypes.

“Today, digital literacy has become a basic requirement for relevance,” she said. “Irrespective of sector, digital confidence is increasingly shaping how far our youth can go.”

Addressing students directly, she urged them to take their studies seriously in a rapidly evolving world. “The quality of life of a country is reflective of its quality of education,” she said. “Whilst we build roads, expand industries, and invest in technology, human capability must grow at the same pace.”

She encouraged a shift in mindset about education beyond formal qualifications.

“Let us not treat education as something you complete. Let’s treat it as something you continue—keep learning, questioning, and building beyond qualification.”

Source : www.myjoyonline.com

Telecommunications network Telecel Ghana has rewarded the latest winner of its long-running Dream Car Promotion, marking the 14th edition with the presentation of a brand-new  Hyundai Creta.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, April 8, at Kaneshie Market, Acting Head of Products and Services, Carlos Asare-Okoh, described the event as a major milestone in the company’s customer reward efforts.

“Today has been a wonderful day. We are rewarding, for the 14th time, a winner of the Dream Car Promo, which has been running for about seven to eight years now,” he said.

He noted that the initiative is designed to reward loyalty while creating engaging opportunities for customers.

“The Dream Car Promo is something we run twice every year to reward our customers who are loyal to us, who play games with us and who have fun on our network,” he noted.

According to him, the promotion, which began in 2018, has consistently delivered life-changing rewards.

“We’ve already rewarded about six houses and given away several cars, and today we’ve added another car to that list. It’s basically our way of giving back to customers for the time they spend on our network and the relationship we have with them,” he added.

Addressing concerns about transparency, he stressed the company’s commitment to fairness and credibility.

“For us as Telecel, credibility is key. We make sure that the right authorities are involved in everything we do. That is why we partnered with the National Lottery Authority to oversee the process,” he stated.

He further assured customers that the selection process is independently verified.

Autos & Vehicles

“This is not a promo where we reward ourselves or give prizes to family and friends. In fact, they don’t even qualify. The NLA is here to ensure that those who genuinely participate and engage are the ones who are rewarded,” he stressed.

The latest winner, Kofi Ofusu-Ennin, expressed excitement after receiving the keys to his new car. He said he first encountered the promotion on social media and decided to try his luck.

“At first, I didn’t put much effort into it, but after winning some weekly prizes, I decided to take it seriously. Eventually, it paid off,” he said.

Still overwhelmed by the win, he encouraged others who may doubt such promotions to participate.

“I was one of those people who didn’t really believe, but here I am today holding my car keys,” he added.

The Dream Car Promotion remains one of Telecel Ghana’s flagship customer engagement campaigns, rewarding loyalty while creating life-changing opportunities for subscribers.

Source : www. citinewsroom.com

From 2 to 5 March 2026, Barcelona once again became the beating heart of the global connectivity industry. MWC26 marked a milestone year: the 20th anniversary of the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event calling Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via home. Four days. One city. And an industry more energised than ever.

MWC26 drew nearly 105,000 attendees from 207 countries and territories. Over 2,900 exhibitors, sponsors, and partners filled the halls alongside more than 1,700 speakers and thought leaders. The GSMA Ministerial Programme convened 188 government delegations, 54 ministers, and 118 heads of regulatory authorities, making clear that MWC is not just a technology event. It is where policy, industry, and innovation find common ground.

Fifty-eight percent of attendees came from industries adjacent to the core mobile ecosystem, a sign that connectivity has become the common thread running through finance, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and beyond.

“We are in the iQ era. And Africa is not on the sidelines; we are in the room, shaping what this era means. MWC Barcelona showed us that. The conversations, the partnerships, the innovations on display. Intelligent connectivity. African solutions. Global scale. This continent has the talent, drive, and vision. Now we build.”

– Angela Wamola, Head of Africa, GSMA

For TechAfrica News, MWC Barcelona 2026 was four immersive days of on-the-ground reporting, strategic conversations, and exclusive interviews with the leaders shaping connectivity’s next chapter. As an official media partner, our team was embedded in the action from the first keynote to the final session on the show floor, examining every major development through the lens that matters most to us: what this means for Africa’s digital future.

“What we witnessed at MWC Barcelona this year was not a moment of anticipation, but a clear moment of arrival. Africa is engaging in the global technology conversation not as a passive participant, but as an active contributor. The depth of presence, the strength of partnerships, the substance of policy dialogue, and the collective weight the continent brought to Barcelona all point to a structural shift. Africa is no longer positioned at the margins of the global technology agenda. It is becoming central to it. At TechAfrica News, our responsibility is to document this evolution with the rigour and scale it requires.”

– Akim Benamara, Founder, TechAfrica News

Intelligence Is Not Coming. It Is Already Here.

MWC26 had a theme, and it was bold. The IQ Era arrived in Barcelona not as a concept to be debated but as a reality already reshaping how the industry builds, operates, and competes. After years of AI circling the edges of the telecom’s conversation, this edition made one thing clear: intelligence is no longer a feature you add to a network. It is the foundation you build from.

The entire programme was structured around six interconnected themes: Intelligent Infrastructure, ConnectAI, AI 4 Enterprise, AI Nexus, Tech4All, and Game Changers. Each one approached the same central question from a different angle: what does it actually mean to run a connected world on intelligent infrastructure? From self-optimising networks and agentic AI in the enterprise to sovereign AI governance and digital inclusion for the Global South, the conversations at Fira Gran Via moved well beyond ambition. The industry arrived in Barcelona asking what AI could do. It left reckoning with what AI is already doing and what responsibility comes with that.

For the TechAfrica News team, one thread ran through everything: The IQ Era is only meaningful if its benefits reach the communities that need them most. 

Africa Did Not Just Attend This Year. It Showed Up. 

For the first time in the event’s history, Africa had a pavilion of its own at MWC Barcelona. Anchored in Hall 4 and bringing together MTN, Ethio Telecom, Cassava Technologies, and Yas, the Africa Pavilion was more than a branded space on a floor plan. It was a statement about where the continent stands in the global connectivity conversation and where it intends to go.

The pavilion was inaugurated by the GSMA alongside the leaders of the G6, the six most influential African telecommunications companies, in a ceremony that drew strong interest from delegates across the event. What had long been overdue finally had a physical form: Africa’s digital identity on the world’s biggest telecoms stage.

The Numbers Behind the Moment

The GSMA Mobile Economy Report, released during the week, set the context. Africa is projected to reach 382 million 5G connections by 2030, but that represents just 21 percent of total mobile connections on the continent, the lowest regional adoption rate globally. The continent accounts for 33 percent of the world’s unconnected population despite global mobile broadband coverage reaching 96 percent. Smartphone ownership sits at just 24 percent, with entry-level devices in Sub-Saharan Africa costing the equivalent of 26 percent of monthly GDP per capita.

The Device Deal that Matters

Against those numbers, the GSMA and the Handset Affordability Coalition formalised plans to pilot affordable entry-level 4G smartphones in six African countries: DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. An MoU was signed between the GSMA, the G6 operators, and OEM partners, with at least eight device manufacturers already in commercial negotiations. The target price point is US$30 to US$40. The GSMA was direct about the obstacle: rising global memory prices are making that range increasingly hard to hit, and government action on taxes and import duties will be critical to converting pilots into scale.

Building AI in African Languages

The week also marked a pivotal moment for the GSMA AI Language Models Initiative. At the 4YFN Africa AI Networking Event, GSMA leadership presented the initiative’s progress alongside a live demonstration of a Swahili-native reasoning model, built to think directly in Swahili rather than translate from English.

The session also unveiled the African AI Transparency Benchmark and announced the African Trust and Safety LLM Challenge, developed in partnership with Zindi to stress-test AI models across the continent’s multilingual environments. Innovation partners DataSpires and ToumAI showcased how locally built solutions are already closing the linguistic digital divide. The message was unambiguous: Africa’s more than 2,000 languages are not a constraint. They are the foundation.

“When we think about language models, we think about the frontier ones, and we all use the same frontier ones. For African languages, we need models that are built by Africans, for Africans, and that understand our cultural context, our accents, and our dialects, so they can serve us better. We see this as a real socio-economic transformation of the continent, and in the way it is unfolding across digitalisation.
– Kanwulia Okafor, Director of Industry Services – Africa, GSMA 

Partnerships, Deals, and Recognition

The bilateral activity across the week told its own story. MTN and Huawei signed a Strategic MoU on AI-driven network evolution, digital inclusion, and home broadband, targeting Autonomous Networks Level 4 as a shared evolution goal. MTN also announced a multi-year partnership with UNHCR to expand connectivity, mobile money, and digital skills for refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities across its markets, where more than 20 million displaced people currently reside. Africa also took home hardware from MWC: Safaricom and Huawei won the GSMA GLOMO Award for Best FinTech and Digital Commerce Innovation for Ziidi, a money market fund service providing low-threshold digital investment access for low- and middle-income Kenyans, the result of over ten years of mobile money collaboration between the two companies. 

On the sidelines, Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Samuel Nartey George, secured an agreement with Huawei to provide free AI training for approximately 3,000 girls under Ghana’s Girls in ICT programme, with implementation planned in partnership with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications and Huawei’s local office. Ethio Telecom used the week to hold high-level meetings with Huawei, Ericsson, ZTE, and Nokia, advancing the operator’s “Next Horizon: Digital and Beyond” strategy through discussions on network optimisation, expansion, and next-generation infrastructure.  

The Africa AI Council also held its first in-person meeting on the sidelines of MWC under the Smart Africa umbrella, while Smart Africa and MeetKai announced a five-country Sovereign AI pilot, with participating countries to be confirmed.  

The Africa story at MWC26 was not a sideshow. It was a parallel summit, with its own pavilion, its own deals, its own awards, and a clear shared message: Africa is not waiting to be included in the IQ Era. It is building its own version of it. 

Beyond the Stages: Voices from the Show Floor  

MWC Barcelona is where the conversations that shape the industry’s direction actually happen, and for the TechAfrica News team, the four days at Fira Gran Via were as much about the exchanges between sessions as the sessions themselves. From industry leaders and innovators to policymakers, our team spoke to a diverse range of voices across government, enterprise, and the technology ecosystem.  

Minister Doumba on Gabon’s Bold Digital Agenda: Policy, Partnerships, and Youth Empowerment  

“The continent has missed the previous industrial revolutions. We did not invent electricity, we did not invent the steam engine, we did not invent the internet, but hopefully we’ll learn to harness productively the current digital stage, and AI, and everything that comes with it.”

– Hon. Marc-Alexandre Doumba, Minister of Digital Economy and Innovation, Gabon

Madagascar’s Digital Foundation: Minister Andriamampiadana on Digital Identity, AI, and Africa’s Key Policy Priorities   

“The top priority for Africa should be about affordable connectivity and infrastructure, a clear and trusted regulatory framework, and digital skills and talent development. Harmonization of policy is crucial. I believe these three are the foundation.”

– Mahefa Andriamampiadana, Minister of Digital Development, Posts, and Telecommunications, Madagascar

GSMA’s Angela Wamola on Smartphone Affordability, AI, and Africa’s Policy Roadmap   

 “I think the biggest one is fiscal policy because that affects the affordability of both devices and data. Without addressing incentives, such as reducing taxes on customs duties for devices or removing excise duties on data, it will be difficult to lower costs.”

-Angela Wamola, Head of Africa, GSMA

GSMA’s Caroline Mbugua on Why the Digital Africa Index Matters for Africa’s Policymakers  

“So how can we create a harmonized policy and regulatory framework across Africa? What is needed except the political will? So what is needed first is the insights. Where do we have the fragmentation and who takes the action? The Digital Africa Index provides that, giving information on where the fragmentation is.”

– Caroline Mbugua, HSC, Senior Director, Public Policy and Communications, GSMA

Ralph Mupita on MTN’s New Frontier: Connectivity, Content, and African AI  

“One of the observations that we’ve reflected on is we’ve been so focused on connectivity and we’ve done a good job, as I said, on coverage. I think the next frontier is how we develop the digital services ourselves that we can have our customers consume. And for much, we will have a partnership approach to be sure. Partnership is part of our model. But if you think about content creation, whether it’s music or video, we want to participate in that.”

– Ralph Mupita, Group President and CEO, MTN Group

Regulating for the Public: Airtel Africa on Spectrum and Policy Harmonization   

“So I think I always try to remind people that this is a public service that needs to be regulated in the public interest. Every time you make a decision about setting up the cost of spectrum, the processes, the level of transparency, and so on, ask yourself one question: Am I regulating in the public interest? Are the policies I have in place responding to that requirement? If those public requirements are met, then you have made the right decision. I also like to stick to the principles, because they are what guide daily actions.”

-Daddy Mukadi, Chief Regulatory Officer, Airtel Africa

No Smartphone, No AI: Vodacom’s Shameel Joosub on Africa’s Access Gap  

“I think it is extremely important because while you can have AI, without connectivity you will never be able to take advantage of it. The underlying connectivity has to be in place. Africa is still significantly lacking in fibre infrastructure, so fibre, mobile, and even satellite all need to be part of the ecosystem. That full ecosystem is necessary for us to realise the benefits of AI across all parts of the continent.”

– Shameel Joosub, CEO, Vodacom Group

Trustonic’s Blueprint for De-Risking Smartphone Financing and Connecting Millions of Africans  

“It is not about punishment, it is about enablement. What we are seeing is that financiers want to provide devices to consumers to enable these 320 million African adults to access the internet and smart technology. But there is no credit vetting. So how do they do this? We need to remove the risk for them, and that is where Trustronic comes into play. We provide locking technology that enables Android device locking for the market across the continent.”

– Craige Fleischer, Executive Vice President, Middle East Africa, Trustonic

The IQ Era Belongs to Africa Too

MWC26 reinforced something we have been saying for years: Africa’s time is not coming. It is here. But momentum is not enough on its own. What MWC26 made equally clear is that the pace of Africa’s digital transformation depends on two things moving together: industry delivering on its commitments, and policy creating the conditions for those commitments to scale. What we need now is for that ambition to translate into coordinated, accountable action from both sides. Policy must move at the speed of the industry it is trying to enable. And industry must stay honest about what it takes to serve markets where the stakes are highest.

“One week. Hundreds of stages and exhibitors. And thousands of conversations. It’s clear, the global connectivity industry has never been more energised or more purposeful. MWC26 has shown us what happens when the world’s brightest minds come together around genuinely hard problems – from open and inclusive AI and realising the full potential of 5G, to keeping the world safe from the growing threat of fraud and cybercrime.”

– Vivek Badrinath, Director General, GSMA

At TechAfrica News, that is the story we will keep watching, keep questioning, and keep telling.

“Africa’s time is here.  And what made this MWC Barcelona 2026 different is that you could see it, touch it, and measure it. Now we need policy and industry to make sure that the decisions made in Barcelona actually land on the ground where they are needed most.”

–  Akim Benamara, Founder, TechAfrica News

“Every conversation, every partnership, every award reminded us that Africa is no longer asking to be included in the global tech story. It is writing its own chapters, on its own terms, with its own people leading the way. That is the story we will keep telling.“

– Joyce Onyeagoro, Senior Editor, TechAfrica News

Stay tuned with TechAfrica News for continued coverage, insights, and perspectives as the conversations from MWC Barcelona 2026 move from the show floor into action.

Source : www.techafricanews.com

• Africa counts more than 1,000 tech hubs in 2024, up from fewer than 600 in 2019
• Leading ecosystems in Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda attract capital and talent
• New projects across Morocco, Benin and Guinea intensify competition for digital investment

Africa accelerates the development of technology hubs to structure innovation and capture a larger share of the global digital economy. Governments invest in dedicated spaces that bring together startups, research centers, universities and large corporations. Moreover, policymakers seek to replicate, at a local scale, models inspired by global Silicon Valley ecosystems.

Pioneer hubs already shaping ecosystems

Some ecosystems already establish themselves as benchmarks.

In Nairobi, often referred to as “Silicon Savannah,” innovation relies on a structured ecosystem centered on fintech and mobile services. The success of M-Pesa drives Kenya’s position as one of the most advanced digital payments markets. The Konza Technopolis project illustrates this ambition with multi-billion-dollar long-term investment plans.

In Nigeria, Lagos confirms its role as the continent’s leading technology hub. The country captures a significant share of venture capital funding in Africa. This momentum also relies on dedicated zones such as Itana and the Ekiti Knowledge Zone, which structure environments designed to attract technology companies.

In Rwanda, Kigali implements a proactive strategy. The Kigali Innovation City project, valued at about $2 billion and spanning 70 hectares, aims to bring together universities, research centers and companies within an integrated ecosystem supported by attractive public policies.

These hubs share common features. They concentrate talent, host incubators and accelerators, provide dedicated infrastructure and attract increasing investor interest.

New generation of hubs emerges

Beyond these pioneers, a new wave of projects highlights intensifying competition among African countries.

In Morocco, Casa Tech Valley aims to structure a technology hub in Casablanca. Authorities plan to deploy the project across 6.5 hectares in the Sidi Othmane district. The project builds on the existing Casablanca Nearshore ecosystem and seeks to attract high-value technology investment while creating thousands of jobs.

In Benin, Sèmè City already operates as a functional model that combines education, entrepreneurship and research within a single space. Authorities expect at least 130,000 graduates from the CIIS by 2030. They also target the creation of more than 100,000 jobs, including at least one-third self-employment and 40% for women.

In Guinea, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Innovation de Guinée, launched in 2024, reflects efforts to structure a national technology ecosystem.

Other initiatives emerge across the continent. Projects include the Parc des technologies numériques de Diamniadio and Gabon’s planned technology village, which illustrate a now widespread dynamic.

Infrastructure-led strategy drives ecosystem growth

According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), Africa counted more than 1,000 technology hubs in 2024, compared with fewer than 600 recorded by the GSMA in 2019.

This increase signals a structural shift in strategy. Governments move beyond supporting startups and invest in infrastructure capable of shaping full ecosystems.

These hubs concentrate resources, foster synergies among stakeholders and gradually attract investment. As a result, they become critical levers to support sustainable innovation and strengthen Africa’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

Source : www.ecofinagency.com

Huawei Digital Power introduced a new portfolio of inverters, energy storage systems, and power electronics aimed at improving grid stability, reducing costs, and accelerating renewable energy integration in Argentina

Huawei Digital Power has launched a new suite of energy solutions in Argentina, designed to enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in a power system increasingly shaped by renewable energy integration and cost pressures.

The announcement reflects the company’s broader strategy to combine digital technologies and power electronics to advance clean energy systems and support the digitalization of the energy sector, a key trend in global energy transition efforts.

According to Ignacio Dapena, the company’s portfolio has evolved to cover the full spectrum of applications—from residential systems to large-scale utility projects—focused on solar PV, energy storage, and smart energy management.

A central highlight of the launch is the HUAWEI SUN2000-506KTL-H1, a next-generation high-power inverter designed to reduce project costs while improving grid performance in systems with high penetration of renewable energy. The unit reaches 99% efficiency, operates across a wide temperature range (from -25°C to 60°C), and delivers up to 40% higher power density, enabling greater photovoltaic capacity per installation.

Crucially, the inverter incorporates grid-forming capabilities, allowing it to actively support grid stability—an increasingly important feature in markets like Argentina, where renewable penetration is rising and system flexibility is becoming critical.

In a global context marked by rising costs of raw materials and electronic components—impacting renewable CAPEX—Huawei is positioning advanced technology as a way to offset these pressures through improved performance and efficiency.

Energy storage also plays a central role in the company’s strategy. Huawei presented a new generation of battery energy storage systems (BESS) with enhancements aimed at boosting system performance and reducing overall costs. These include up to a 20% increase in capacity for 20-foot containerized systems, optimized designs for large-scale projects of up to 11 MW, and new medium-voltage measurement features that simplify system architecture and lower installation costs.

These storage solutions enable energy shifting during peak demand, enhance grid stability, and support black start capabilities, reinforcing their role in modern power systems with high shares of intermittent renewable energy.

Huawei’s competitive edge lies in its ability to integrate proprietary power electronics with storage solutions, allowing greater flexibility to adapt to different business models, from utility-scale projects to distributed generation.

The company is also advancing the integration of solar generation with storage, enabling solar PV to become a primary energy source across residential, commercial, and industrial segments. In parallel, it is promoting the development of smart EV charging infrastructure, aimed at building scalable and efficient electric mobility networks.

Its portfolio addresses multiple market segments:

• Residential: solar-plus-storage systems that can significantly reduce grid consumption and, in some cases, enable partial energy independence
• Commercial & industrial (C&I): solutions for energy optimization, backup power, and cost reduction
• Utility scale: large-scale infrastructure for generation, storage, and grid stabilization

With more than 25 years of presence in Argentina and over 500 employees, Huawei has established a strong footprint in the country, participating in projects spanning renewable generation, hybrid systems for mining, industrial applications, and even remote developments such as in Antarctica.

The company is observing sustained growth across both large-scale and distributed energy projects, reinforcing Argentina’s potential as a key market for renewable energy, energy storage, and digital grid solutions in Latin America.

Source : www.strategicenergy.eu

Tech giant Huawei has unveiled a new suite of artificial intelligence (AI)-ready data infrastructure solutions aimed at helping South African businesses unlock value from data and accelerate digital transformation.

This formed the centrepiece of the company’s annual IT Day held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, which drew more than 400 customers and partners from across industries.

Future-proofing infrastructure 

With AI rapidly reshaping business operations, Huawei said organisations are under increasing pressure to rethink how they store, manage and secure data. The event spotlighted technologies such as intelligent storage, all-flash systems and advanced data centre virtualisation as key enablers of this shift.

Kui Zheng, CEO of Huawei’s Enterprise Business Group South Africa, said the focus is on helping organisations future-proof their infrastructure.

“From government to transport, finance and energy, South African organisations are already leading in ICT upgrades and digital transformation,” Zheng said.

Huawei’s strategic priorities

He outlined four strategic priorities for the company locally: strengthening data protection against cyber threats, improving data centre performance through virtualisation, expanding AI computing capabilities, and enabling smarter, more connected workplaces.

A key highlight was Huawei’s OceanStor Dorado storage platform, designed for mission-critical workloads. The system supports multiple storage protocols in a single solution while enhancing performance and security — crucial as businesses grapple with growing data volumes driven by AI and the so-called token economy.

Data Centre Solution

Huawei also showcased its Data Centre Solution (DCS), a full-stack virtualisation platform that integrates computing, storage and networking. The company said the solution improves resilience, simplifies management and includes built-in ransomware protection.

On the AI front, Huawei introduced its Atlas computing portfolio, including high-performance architectures capable of handling large-scale workloads. The company expects demand for AI inference – where systems generate outputs from trained models — to grow rapidly over the next five years, surpassing training demand and expanding significantly by 2030.

Smart collaboration tools

Beyond infrastructure, Huawei demonstrated smart collaboration tools such as IdeaHub, designed to modernise meeting spaces and classrooms through wireless connectivity and AI-enabled features.

The event also highlighted real-world adoption. Huawei’s long-standing partnership with Altron Digital Business has delivered projects worth more than R5 billion over 14 years, supported by a network of local engineers.

Looking ahead, Huawei said it will continue working closely with partners and customers to support South Africa’s digital transformation journey as AI adoption accelerates across sectors.

 Source : www. sundayworld.co.za

MTN Uganda has delivered medical equipment and infrastructure worth Shs20 million to Kyobugombe Health Centre II in Kabale District, in a move aimed at expanding access to maternal healthcare and emergency services for more than 8,700 residents.

The support, provided through the MTN Foundation under its Changemakers Initiative, includes delivery and maternity beds as well as a solar power system to strengthen service delivery at the rural facility.

Kyobugombe Health Centre II is among the beneficiaries of the programme’s third phase in Western Uganda, as MTN Uganda scales up its community-focused investments across the country.

Preacher Ekyarituha, the in-charge of the facility, said the health centre serves two sub-counties and handles more than 50 inpatients and 500 outpatients monthly, but has long struggled with inadequate equipment.

She noted that the facility previously lacked delivery beds and relied on only two worn-out beds, which limited the quality of care offered to patients.

“The beds we had were leaking. We also need staff quarters. We call upon the government to upgrade the facility to a Health Centre III,” Ekyarituha said.

Kabale District Speaker Flavia Nyinakiza Kanagyezi described the intervention as timely, noting that the district lacked sufficient budget to equip the facility.

Andrew Tusubira, Head of Commercial at MTN Western Uganda, said the new equipment is expected to improve healthcare delivery, enhance safe childbirth, and ensure a reliable power supply.

“The equipment itself will not make an impactful change, hence calling on the staff at Kyobugombe Health Centre II to use the equipment with skills,” Tusubira said.

Deputy Resident District Commissioner Michael Kyakashari welcomed the support, saying it would significantly strengthen service delivery, particularly in maternal health and emergency response.

“This support comes at a critical time for our community. It will strengthen the capacity of Kyobugombe Health Centre II to provide safer deliveries and respond more effectively to emergencies,” Kyakashari said.

The Changemakers Initiative, launched three years ago, identifies and supports community-driven solutions across sectors including health, education, economic empowerment, environment, and water and sanitation.

To date, the programme has funded over 50 projects, invested more than Shs1 billion, and reached over 235,000 beneficiaries nationwide.

MTN Uganda is investing an additional Shs500 million in the current phase to support 25 projects across all regions, reflecting a strategy aimed at ensuring inclusive and geographically balanced impact.

Source : www.nilepost.co.ug

In another landmark move to accelerate grassroots digital inclusion, MTN Nigeria staff commissioned and handed over a solar-powered Y’ello Box (a digital hub) to the Iraboko community in Awoyaya on Wednesday, March 25th. The handover, which falls under the 2025 staff-powered initiative – Y’ello Care – saw the telecommunications giant deepen its ‘Connecting at the Roots’ strategy. In June of 2025, over 1,400 staff members of the company contributed 3,947 volunteer hours as part of its annual drive.

The ceremony in Awoyaya was led by Ifeoma Utah, General Manager Commercial Legal, MTN Nigeria, representing the Chief Corporate Services Officer, Tobe Okigbo. Addressing the gathering of community leaders and residents, Utah highlighted the personal commitment of the MTN workforce. “Y’ello Care is an initiative by MTN employees. So every year in June, employees of MTN come together to contribute money to empower communities where we work and create,” she stated. She emphasised that the project is beyond a corporate mandate: “We’re keen on enabling societies. We’re about improving the communities where we work and live. We are way more than a business. We believe in making people thrive.”

The hub itself is a masterpiece of sustainable engineering, equipped with 10 computers, high-speed internet, and a full solar-power system that supports air conditioning and a water pumping machine for on-site bathrooms. Chief Oladunni Yinka Onatoye, a retired Director of Education and Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman, described the innovation as a turning point for the region. “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards bridging the digital divide in our local city. We understand that the future is digital. However, we also know that digital transformation is only meaningful when it is inclusive,” Onatoye remarked while seated alongside the Baale of Iraboko, Chief Abiodun Sanni Eleku.

Beyond the commissioning of the building, MoMo PSB, the fintech subsidiary of MTN Nigeria, distributed a variety of essential items to the attendees. Solar fans, umbrellas, POS machines, and branded caps were handed out to community members, symbolising the company’s commitment to improving daily life. These items were specifically chosen to provide immediate utility, mirroring the long-term utility of the digital hub itself.

The activation also centred on meaningful financial empowerment. Intensive MoMo literacy sessions equipped residents for the digital economy, while ₦100,000 grants and POS machines transformed local entrepreneurs like Sobanke Rasheedat and Ibrahim Abdulrazaq into official MoMo Agents, ensuring local economic value fuels sustainable community growth.

The event concluded with a facility tour and a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony. As the community leaders walked through the air-conditioned hub, the sense of partnership was palpable. By providing both the high-tech Y’ello Box, MTN has further solidified its role as a partner in progress for the Iraboko community, ensuring the ’roots’ of the community are well-nourished for a digital future. Other Y’ello Boxes are expected to be launched in other locations in the country.

Source : www.bhmng.com

Three Cameroonian students have successfully qualified for the grand finale of the prestigious Huawei ICT Competition 2025-2026, which will take place in Shenzhen, China, after a strong showing at the regional phase of the competition held on March 28, 2026.

The regional round was conducted online at Huawei’s offices in Douala, bringing together participants from 15 countries across North Africa, West Africa, and Central Africa. Nations represented included Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Benin, and several others, making the competition a highly competitive continental showcase of ICT talent.

The Huawei ICT Competition is an annual global technology contest organised by Huawei that challenges university students on their knowledge and skills in areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, networking, and other cutting-edge information and communications technologies. The competition serves as a platform for young African talent to demonstrate their technical capabilities on a world stage.

The qualification of three Cameroonian students to the global finals represents a significant achievement for the country’s growing ICT sector and its higher education institutions. It underscores Cameroon’s increasing competitiveness in technology education across the African continent and signals a bright future for the nation’s digital economy ambitions.

Source : www.cameroon-concord.com

Huawei and Jazz, the Pakistani subsidiary of Veon, have deployed solar power systems across 1,000 telecom base station sites in Pakistan, with a combined installed capacity of 13MW.

The rollout utilizes Huawei’s integrated site technology, which combines solar generation, battery storage, and energy management systems to support operations across the network.

The companies said the sites are expected to generate around 11GWh of electricity annually and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 15,000 tonnes per year.

“Expanding solar across our network allows us to reduce our environmental footprint while improving service reliability for our customers,” said Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz.

Jazz said the deployment is intended to improve network reliability, particularly in areas with limited or unstable power supply. The company added that it plans to continue expanding renewable energy use across its network as part of broader sustainability targets, aligned with Veon’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.

The companies originally signed the agreement to deploy the solar arrays back in March of last year. At the time, the companies said that the deployment was expected to serve as a scalable model for future expansion, offering a replicable framework that can be extended.

Jazz is Pakistan’s biggest mobile carrier, with more than 71 million subscribers.

The company, previously known as Mobilink, was founded in 1994 as part of a joint venture between Saif Group and Motorola. In February 2001, Egypt-based Orascom Investment Holding bought Motorola’s shares in Jazz to become the majority shareholder with 69 percent control before eventually acquiring full control of the company a few years later.

Dubai-headquartered Veon acquired the majority of Orascom’s telco assets in 2010, including Jazz, as part of a $6.5 billion deal.

Source : www.datacenterdynamics.com