MTN, Huawei sign MOU to boost Africa’s tech ecosystem

MTN Group and Huawei signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) for a Joint Innovation Technology Lab, aiming to deepen cooperation in technological innovation. The signing ceremony, which was held at MWC Barcelona, Spain was attended by senior delegations from both companies.

This strategic partnership will see the creation of an Innovation Technology Lab at MTN Group’s headquarters in South Africa. The lab will serve as a neutral platform for collaboration within Africa’s digital ecosystem, accelerating the development, deployment and adoption of innovative digital solutions driven across the continent. Together, the two companies will leverage this initiative to focus their research and development efforts on key areas such as 5G and beyond, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data analytics, cloud computing, and digital financial services.

The partnership aimed to accelerate the time- to- market of MTN’S products and services, while addressing the unique challenges faced in Africa, including improving network coverage in rural areas, and enhancing energy efficiency, and affordability.

Additionally, MTN’S operational teams will actively participate in the innovation process, ensuring the solutions developed directly address real- world challenges and drive meaningful digital transformation and sustainable development in Africa.

Group Chief Technology and Information Officer, Mazen Mroué, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership stating, “The Joint Innovation Technology Lab is more than a partnership between two companies; it’s an investment in the growth of Africa’s digital ecosystem. We believe that collaboration is essential for developing solutions that truly meet the continent’s needs, and this Lab will pave the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for Africa.”