Huawei ready to work with carriers, partners to promote digital enablement

Huawei Technologies says it is willing and ready to work with carriers and industry partners around the world to promote digital enablement, reinforce network foundations, and bring Al to all.

Mr Li Peng, Huawei’s Corporate Senior Vice President and President of ICT Sales & Service, said together they could shape the D.N.A. for an intelligent world.

Mr Li was speaking during the Mobile World Conference (MWC) Barcelona 2025 on how carriers could make the most of Al to fully unleash the value of their networks.

The MWC Barcelona 2025 opened on March 3 and is expected to end on March 6, 2025 on the theme: “Converge. Connect. Create.”

Mr Li predicted that symbiosis between 5G-A and Al technologies would stimulate double-digit growth in both DOU (data of usage) and ARPU (average revenue per user) from mobile subscribers.
“We are rapidly entering a fully intelligent world. Intelligent applications are spreading everywhere, placing new demands on networks,” he said.
He said by embracing and evolving 5G, they could unlock the infinite potential of mobile networks.

Mr Li said with advancements in AI, HMI (human-machine interaction) was evolving from simple text-based communications to voice, gestures, and more multi-modal interactions.

“As a result, HMI is more real-time and convenient than ever, giving rise to a new wave of innovative applications,” he added.

For instance, people can interact more naturally with their devices using Al-powered voice assistants.
On cloud phones, Al-powered avatars can provide visual feedback as well, creating a more personal experience for services like health monitoring, making the mobile experience far more accessible and productive for different groups of users.

Mr Li said to support applications like these, however, networks needed to be able to provide guaranteed latency, which would require ongoing evolution from 5G NSA, to 5G SA, and eventually 5G-A.

He said carriers could also adopt innovative technologies like CUPS (Control and User Plane Separation) and GBR (Guaranteed Bit Rate) to reduce basic latency and ensure differentiated, deterministic latency for specific scenarios.

Mr Li said Al would transform how content was produced and distributed, meanwhile, Al recommendations were more targeted than ever, allowing the distribution of more personalized content to broader audiences across the Internet. He said these trends would cause network traffic to surge over the next five years, placing unprecedented demands on networks.

He said to keep up, carriers would need more spectrum, greater network capacity, and much larger uplink and downlink bandwidth.

Source: Morkporkpor Anku (Huawei Technologies Ghana)

MTN pledges to empower entrepreneurial women for national development.

MTN Ghana has pledged to promote and support women in the entrepreneurial sector as part of its efforts toward national development.

Speaking at the National Women’s Summit and Expo on Friday, March 7, in Accra, Mrs Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, emphasized the company’s dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs, particularly those in the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector.

She stated that economic parity cannot be achieved without empowering women, especially in Ghana’s informal sector, where a significant number of businesses are female-led.

To bridge this gap, she announced that MTN Ghana would soon launch a new digital product specifically designed for women entrepreneurs.

“We’ll be launching a new product in the next few weeks that seeks to support women on their digital journey, give them access to markets, mentorship, and capability training, as well as exciting products and services from MTN Business.

“We thought, what better place to introduce this than at the summit today? With International Women’s Day being tomorrow, we said that now is the time. We believe that ‘Accelerate for Action’ is a call to duty, and we’re excited to be part of this summit,” Mrs Mensah-Poku added.

She noted that limited access to funding remains a major challenge for women in business and called on the government, private companies, and institutions to provide support for women with strong entrepreneurial potential.

Many women-led SMEs, she explained, struggle to secure funding due to the informal nature of their businesses and the lack of required financial documentation.

She reiterated that MTN Ghana is working closely with banks, SME Ghana, and Nova to provide training in key areas such as bookkeeping, marketing, and tax compliance.

Additionally, the company is exploring innovative financial solutions that leverage mobile money transactions as an alternative credit assessment tool.

Mrs Mensah-Poku also highlighted that MTN Ghana’s strategy includes collaborations with banks, insurance companies, and the MTN Foundation to offer comprehensive support to women-led SMEs.

She emphasized that by equipping women with the right resources, the positive impact will extend to entire communities, ultimately fostering national economic growth.

Source: Patricia Boakye (CitiNewsroom)

MTN Mobile Money, Sanlam Allianz sign MoU to deepen insurance coverage

MTN Mo­bile Money Limited, in partnership with San­lam Allianz and AYo Intermediaries Ghana, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance insurance coverage for its agents across the country.

The Chief Commercial and Mobile Money Officer of MTN Mobile Money Limited, Abdul Razak Ali, speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra on Tuesday, said his outfit was committed to the welfare of its agents, hence the insurance scheme.

He said the company already had insurance scheme for its agents and the current one was to enhance it.

“This partnership with San­lam Allianz provides enhanced insurance coverage for our agents. Since 2020, we have had an insurance policy in place, but after engaging with our agents, we re­ceived valuable feedback on how to improve it,” Mr Ali explained.
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He stated that the policy, among others, covered critical illness, permanent disability, death and the agents or their benefi­ciaries and could claim between GH¢5, 000.00 to GH¢250, 000.00 depending on the risk.

The CEO of AYo Ghana, Francis Gota, said the policy was a game-changer in securing the financial future of mobile money agents.

“Mobile money agents are the backbone of Ghana’s financial ecosystem. They work long hours, often under risky conditions. This policy ensures that if illness, disability, or even death occurs, financial relief is available to ease the burden on them and their families,” he underlined.

The policy offers a safety net for families in the event of an agent’s passing, financial support for permanent or temporary disability, assistance for critical ill­nesses such as stroke, cancer, and coma, and daily hospitalisation benefits to reduce financial strain during medical treatment.

“This is more than just a pol­icy. It is a demonstration of care, a commitment to agent security, and a recognition of the crucial role they play in financial inclu­sion. We want every agent to feel valued and protected,” stated Mr Gota.

He urged agents to take the policy seriously, as it directly im­pacted their financial security and that of their families.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and country lead of San­lam Allianz Life Insurance Ghana Limited, Tawiah Ben-Ahmed, in­dicated that his outfit was excited about the partnership to provide Momo Agents with insurance.

“It’s a lot of excitement and seeing an organisation that really cares about the very people that it works with,” he mentioned.

The insurance scheme, he said, aligned with Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance to honour Ghana’s objective to empower generations to be financially confident, secure and prosperous.

Mr Ben-Ahmed explained that the product was meant to em­power the merchants to go about their work with confidence.

Moreover, he noted that Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance Ghana was ready to pay all claims promptly, adding that, “Measures have been put in place to ensure that the system is not abused.”

“And the beautiful part is that our commitment as an under­writer is to pay the resulting from valid claims submitted promptly. And that is the commitment we bring to the party as far as this insurance scheme is concerned,” Mr Ben-Ahmed stated.

Source: Kingsley Asare (Ghanaian Times)

MTN strengthens its mobile money position with a virtual payment card

MTN

Ugandan telecommunications company MTN last week launched a virtual payment card for subscribers of its mobile money platform, Mobile Money (MoMo). The move is expected to facilitate online transactions and boost payments beyond local merchants.

The initiative was launched in partnership with US payments giant Mastercard, with whom MTN signed an agreement in February 2024. In February 2025, Emirati payment solutions provider Network International joined the alliance. Local bank Diamond Trust Bank is also involved in the project for the Ugandan market.

“With the Virtual Card by MoMo, users can now make online payments on any e-commerce platform, website or social media that accepts card payments, ensuring a seamless and secure experience,” Mastercard said in a statement released on February 28.

Until now, payments via MoMo in Uganda were limited to the operator’s merchant network, which had 316,400 members as of September 30, 2024. The number of transactions increased by 25.1% in the first nine months of 2024 to reach 3 billion. The value of these transactions reached Sh114.5 trillion ($31.25 billion), up 13.3%.

A potential increase in transactions could lead to an increase in mobile money revenues. This could translate into a positive impact on MTN Uganda’s revenues, given that this growing segment is its second largest revenue source after voice services. In the first nine months of 2024, MoMo services generated Sh669.19 billion, up 25.6% from 2023. Fintech services, including MoMo, accounted for 29.7% of the operator’s service revenues, which amounted to approximately Sh2.308 billion.

Furthermore, the new service should enable MTN to attract new subscribers in a market where it is notably in competition with Airtel. As of September 30, 2024, it claimed leadership in terms of market share with 21.6 million mobile subscribers while official statistics indicate 40 million subscribers in the country. The company had also declared 9.3 million Internet subscribers and 13.2 million mobile money subscribers.

Source: Extensia

Tanzania: Vodacom strengthens its network in Zanzibar with public submarine cables

Vodacom

Telecom operator Vodacom Tanzania will gain access to an additional 10GB of capacity to improve the quality of its voice and internet services across the islands of the Zanzibar archipelago. The company will be able to leverage government-owned fibre optic infrastructure and submarine cables to achieve this.

The company signed an agreement with the Zanzibar Communication Corporation (ZICTIA) last week. “This development is not just about ensuring faster internet speeds, it is aimed at driving digital transformation in Zanzibar. It is designed to empower local businesses, improve e-government services, support e-learning initiatives and much more,” the telecom operator said.

The additional capacity is expected to enable Vodacom Group’s Tanzanian subsidiary to better meet the needs of its existing subscribers in Zanzibar while expanding its customer base, strengthening its position in the domestic market. According to official data, the archipelago had about 1 million mobile phone subscriptions as of December 31, 2024, for an estimated population of 1.89 million.

Zanzibar represents a growth opportunity for Vodacom, especially as the number of unique subscribers is likely to be lower, with some people having multiple SIM cards, each counted as a separate subscription.

As of December 31, 2023, Vodacom had 26.32 million P2P (person-to-person) subscriptions according to data from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). This represents a market share of 31%. The company is closely followed by Yas with a market share of 30%. This is followed by Airtel (23%), Halotel (14%) and incumbent TTCL (2%). Vodacom also controls 54% of M2M (machine-to-machine) subscriptions.

Source: Extensia

MTN and Huawei signed an MoU to collaborate on the digital future for Africa

Barcelona, Spain, March 6, 2025] During the MWC Barcelona 2025, MTN Group and Huawei reaffirmed their long-term collaboration through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement outlines a framework to explore opportunities in advanced connectivity solutions, cloud based technologies and digital infrastructure to drive sustainable digital development across Africa.

MTN Group and Huawei Strategic Partnership MoU Signing Ceremony

Mazen Mroué, Group Chief Technology and Information Officer of MTN, said: “At MTN, our focus is on delivering seamless, intelligent, and inclusive digital experiences for our customers across Africa. Through this collaboration with Huawei, we are exploring innovative solutions to enhance network reliability, improve service quality, and expand digital access for underserved communities. By leveraging advanced connectivity and cloud technologies, we aim to empower businesses, enrich customer experiences, and accelerate Africa’s digital future.”

Huawei’s Corporate Senior Vice President, President of ICT Sales & Service Li Peng emphasized the collaboration’s transformative potential, “Our joint initiatives in 5G-Advanced networks and AI-powered cloud platforms will create a robust foundation for Africa’s digital economy. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to developing localized solutions that bridge both technological and skills gaps across the continent.”

This MoU marks a new phase in MTN and Huawei’s strategic collaboration going forward. Both companies will explore innovative solutions to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation and drive long-term digital economic growth.

MWC Barcelona 2025 is held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.

In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world.

Source: Huawei.com

Telcos to offer 6GB Independence Day bundle for GHC10 – Sam George

Ghana’s major telecommunications providers—MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana, and AT Ghana—have introduced a special Independence Day data bundle, offering 6GB for GHS10, a substantial increase from the usual 1GB or 3GB provided during holiday promotions.

The initiative, launched under the directive of President John Mahama, is aimed at enhancing digital accessibility and affordability across the country.

This was announced by Minister for Communication, Digital Technology & Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, in a Facebook post on Thursday, March 6.

According to him, the initiative underscores efforts to advance digital inclusion and position Ghana as a leader in technological accessibility.

“This highlights our commitment as a government to build the enablers for a truly digitalised Ghana that offers the vast opportunity of the interconnected world to Ghanaians right in the comfort of their homes.”

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations is expected to outline further plans for data pricing, detailing short, medium, and long-term strategies to sustain affordability.

Many mobile users have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a positive step toward making digital services more accessible.

Source: Lucy Mawufemor Kpeglo(GBCGhanaonline)

Huawei and Telecom Egypt Sign Agreement to Enhance ICT Infrastructure

Huawei

Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, has announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with Telecom Egypt – WE. The agreement aims to equip Telecom Egypt’s network with advanced technological solutions in preparation for the launch of 5G services in Egypt, ensuring high-quality broadband for users. With this collaboration, Telecom Egypt becomes the first operator in Egypt and Northern Africa to deploy innovative outdoor and indoor solutions, including BladeAAU technology with high-bandwidth Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology & DIS 5G Solution with the new (pRRU) Pico Radio for indoor solution supporting multiband.

Huawei is integrating BladeAAU technology into Telecom Egypt’s network, which will optimize space utilization for antenna installations on Tower and lay the foundation for future 5G advancements. Additionally, Telecom Egypt is implementing the first 5G Digital Indoor System (DIS) in the region, utilizing three frequency bands and V-MIMO (Virtual Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology. Initial 5G tests have demonstrated exceptional user experiences, with throughput speeds exceeding 300 Mbps.

As Telecom Egypt extends its 5G network coverage, it prioritized optimal Outdoor & indoor coverage, particularly for high-value users. BaldeAAU MM 64T was equipped to meet the requirements of future capacity in Egypt and provide a multiple times higher capacity of 5G traffic, meanwhile Digital Indoor Systems (DIS) have become the preferred choice over traditional Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) due to their superior capacity and enhanced user experience.

The signing of the cooperation protocol comes within the framework of Huawei’s strategy, which accentuates the great importance of developing the ICT infrastructure in Egypt and supports digital transformation plans by providing the latest innovative technologies.

Additionally, the cooperation is in line with Telecom Egypt’s vision that aims to become a leading ICT operator by investing in establishing high-quality 4G/5G collaborative networks. In compliance with the current developments and launch of 5G networks. In addition, it will increase DOU (Dataflow of Usage) using data throughput and provide the users with communication services and better data transmission.

Mohamed Nasr Eldin Telecom Egypt CEO expressed his delight of signing the cooperation protocol with the leading Huawei to equip WE and develop its capabilities laying the groundwork of 5G and the launch of its various services. He said:

We are proud to cooperate with Huawei, which is a strategic partner for us in localizing the ICT industry and implementing the digital transformation strategy in Egypt. We are also pleased that Huawei with its expertise in this field will enable us maintain our leading position in providing the latest and best technological solutions to our customers and offering high-quality 5G services.

– Mohamed Nasr Eldin, CEO, Telecom Egypt

We are pleased to cooperate with Telecom Egypt, as this cooperation affirms the confidence and assurance in our ability in providing the best leading solutions worldwide to prepare Telecom Egypt’s network to lay groundwork for 5G, in addition to the growth of 4G.

– Mr. Benjamin Hou, CEO, Huawei Egypt

He pointed out that the innovated technology either MM 64T Blade Antenna or DIS 5G was equipped to meet the requirements of future capacity in Egypt and provide higher capacity of 5G traffic. He also assured that Huawei is keen on gearing all its efforts and innovations to provide the best services in the field of communications, in order to support economic development, being in line with the government’s vision towards developing ICT industry in Egypt.

Telecom Egypt is keen to spread modern communication technologies, including high bandwidth of the TDD 2.6 GHz band with MIMO Technology, aiming to provide users with an ideal experience of using networks, as well as the technologies and the updates that Huawei creates to achieve unparalleled communication services.

Source: Extensia

Kenya strengthens tech links with Ericsson, Malaysia

Ericsson

Kenya is expanding its partnerships with Malaysia and the technology firm Ericsson in order to encourage innovation and investment in the IT industry and speed the East African country’s digital transformation.

The Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy is leading the initiative.

Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, who leads the portfolio, met with Malaysian and Ericsson delegations at the ministry’s Nairobi offices on Monday.

The High Commissioner of Malaysia to Kenya, Ruzaimi Mohammed, paid a courtesy visit.

Following the meeting, Kabogo revealed that the two addressed bilateral relations, particularly in terms of technological innovation and investment.

“Kenya’s rapid growth in the tech industry coupled with Malaysia’s expertise in the same field allows for a strategic partnership that will boost our digital transformation agenda,” he said.

The two countries already have strong technological relations.

Last November, at the Malaysia-Kenya Tech Summit in Nairobi, they signed a memorandum of understanding for Malaysia to foster digital transformation in Kenya.

This allows Kenyan enterprises to gain access to Malaysia’s digital knowledge, while Malaysian firms may tap into Kenya’s tech economy.

Yesterday, Kabogo hosted the Ericsson delegation.

The discussions focused on how to improve connectivity and expedite digital transformation.

Kabogo believes that a strong telecom industry is critical to unlocking new potential for businesses and consumers.

“As we strive for a digitally inclusive economy, partnerships with the private sector remain crucial in improving lives, redefining industries, and shaping a sustainable future for all Kenyans,” said Kabongo.

Source: Extensia

African telco CEOs aim to accelerate digital inclusion

GSMA

Africa’s digital transformation is more than just connectivity; it’s about creating opportunities for education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and economic growth.

This is according to GSMA Africa, and the Africa Group of Six (G6) mobile network operators, who convened this week at the Mobile World Congress (#MWC25) to review progress, share ideas, and map out the next steps in advancing digital transformation in Africa.

The G6, which was founded in Rwanda in 2023, said the Barcelona meeting was a crucial step forward in the joint endeavour to expedite Africa’s digital transformation.

The group believes that by leveraging strategic partnerships, data-driven insights, and innovative solutions, it can drive meaningful progress in fiscal policy reforms, broadband infrastructure investment, and environmental sustainability, reaffirming its commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to achieve Africa’s digital and socioeconomic development goals

It added: “Africa’s digital transformation is not just about connectivity—it’s about creating opportunities for education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and economic growth. The G6’s initiatives are critical to ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.”

At the time of the launch in Rwanda, the G6 urged governments to implement new policies to accelerate the positive and inclusive effects of mobile technology in order to close investment and usage gaps.

The six CEOs represented Airtel Africa Group, Axian Group, Ethio Telecom, MTN Group, Orange Middle East and Africa, and Vodacom Group.

Source: Extensia