Huawei inks deal with African Telecommunication Union for ICT expansion

Chinese tech giant, Huawei, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) aimed at enhancing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capabilities and literacy in Africa.

Dean Yu, Huawei Technologies Country Manager for Kenya, stated that the Chinese company will provide technical support for African states so as to increase the ICT uptake across the continent.

"We will leverage our resources in order to introduce the most innovative solutions to Africa," Yu said at an ICT media training workshop.

Per the agreement, Huawei will share its extensive technological know-how with aim of boosting ICT development on the continent, according to a report by Nigeria CommunicationsWeek.

Huawei already has a sizable presence in most of the 54 states that make up the African continent, where it works closely with telecommunication firms to expand coverage of mobile telephony.

"Our aim is to ensure that Africa is able to bridge its digital divide. There is a positive correlation between level of ICT use and the level of economic development," Yu added.

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In his reaction, Soumalia Abdoulkarim, secretary general of the ATU, said broadband penetration in Africa still stands at 10%, which is the lowest in the world, and Huawei could help African states deelop and implement their national broadband strategies.

Abdoulkarim also urged governments to provide incentives for the private sector to help rollout broadband, especially to rural areas.