Information and communication technology (ICT) group Huawei and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build capacity for ICT transformation across Africa.

The partners will start offering cutting- edge skills, reskilling and upskilling development training to ATU members, facilitate access to global experts to discuss the latest technologies, trends, challenges and solutions in Africa, provide support for local innovation and collaborate on research to help progress the continent’s digitalisation and expand the digital economy.

“The two organisations have a long history of working together and this new agreement will support African countries, regulators and citizens to benefit from the transition to a digital economy, adopt new technologies, promote secure and resilient networks and gain the digital skills necessary to drive their economies forward,” says ATU secretary-general John Omo.

Huawei has transformed connectivity and made a major contribution to the continent through its investments in digital infrastructure, ICT skills, environment-friendly connectivity solutions and cutting-edge technologies for rural areas, and the MoU will strengthen that partnership.

“Africa has a tremendous opportunity to fully grasp the potential from new technologies.”

“The ATU is playing a critical role in the region, supporting member countries with their policies and strategies, sharing best practices, building capacity and driving innovation and we are delighted to be able to support them,” adds Huawei Southern Africa region VP Samuel Chen.

“We have connected hundreds of millions of Africans to secure, high-speed broadband and cloud solutions in the last two decades and earned the trust and support of our customers and regulators; we look forward to doing even more.”

The partnership emerged after a 2019 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on digital economies report revealed that Africa and Latin America together account for less than 5% of the world’s data centres and that, in least developed countries, only one in five people uses the Internet, compared with four out of five in developed countries.

This digital divide will worsen existing income inequalities if left unaddressed.