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On February 28, 2024, MTN Group and Huawei signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Joint Innovation Technology Lab aimed at enhancing collaboration in technical innovation.

Barcelona, Spain, February 28, 2024 MTN Group and Huawei signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Joint Innovation Technology Lab, with the goal of deepening collaboration in technical innovation. Senior delegations from MTN and Huawei attended the signing ceremony, which took place at the MWC Barcelona in Spain.

As part of this strategic relationship, an Innovation Technology Lab will be established at MTN Group’s headquarters in South Africa. The lab will act as a neutral platform for collaboration inside Africa’s digital ecosystem, speeding up the creation, deployment, and adoption of innovative digital solutions driven by the continent.

The two businesses will use this project to concentrate their research and development efforts on critical sectors such as 5G and beyond, AI, Big Data analytics, cloud computing, and digital financial services. The alliance intends to reduce the time-to-market for MTN’s goods and services while tackling Africa’s particular concerns, such as expanding network coverage in rural areas, increasing energy efficiency, and affordability.

Furthermore, MTN’s operational teams will actively participate in the innovation process, ensuring that the solutions generated directly address real-world concerns while driving meaningful digital transformation and sustainable development in Africa.

Mazen Mroué, Group Chief Technology and Information Officer, expressed his delight for the collaboration, saying, “The Joint Innovation Technology Lab is more than just a cooperation between two firms; it’s an investment in the future of Africa’s digital economy. We believe that collaboration is critical for generating solutions that actually meet the continent’s needs, and that this Lab will lead the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for Africa.”

Li Peng, Huawei’s Corporate Senior Vice President and President of ICT Sales & Service, stated, “Huawei will continue to innovate alongside MTN to ensure they have the tools and solutions necessary to effectively serve Africa’s unique market. This will not only provide MTN with a competitive advantage in terms of network quality, user experience, and speedy rollout, but it will also assist MTN in meeting its own commercial objectives. We believe that this newly created lab will assist boost both MTN’s R&D and Africa’s digital economy, delivering more prosperity to the African continent.”

This collaboration exemplifies MTN and Huawei’s shared commitment to transforming Africa’s digital landscape, creating new opportunities for innovation, digital inclusion, and economic development.

MWC Barcelona 2024 will take place from February 26 to February 29 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will exhibit its most recent products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.

With the commercial introduction of 5.5G in 2024, Huawei is working with operators and partners around the world to pursue exciting new innovations in networks, cloud, and intelligence. Together, we will push 5G business and build a robust industry ecosystem, ushering in a new era of intelligent digital transformation.