Telecom
Huawei Advises Africa on Mobile Broadband for GDP Growth, Job Creation
Huawei in solidifying its commitment to Africa has advised leaders to view deployment of 4G mobile broadband for GDP growth and job creation.
To match words with action, Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, announced that it will provide training to 10,000 people in Africa over the next five years.
The announcement was made by senior Huawei Executives at the World Economic Forum on Africa held in Abuja, Nigeria, under the theme: The World Economic Forum on Africa, “Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs”.
Mr. Charles Ding, global vice president of Huawei, said at the forum, “Huawei is committed to developing its business in Africa where our commitment will create mutually beneficial opportunities and win-win outcomes. Africa and China have enjoyed a strong relationship that has seen extensive cooperation in political, economic, and cultural areas. Africa has an open and inclusive approach to international trade relations, which has created a sound business environment for Huawei’s development in the region.”
Ding went on to discuss Huawei’s approach for the region, “Huawei considers Africa to be one of our most important strategic growth markets, by localizing our operations, we can better understand the needs of the market, and improve our overall capabilities. We’re proud to have an opportunity to play an important role in Africa’s modernization. We are also committed to create more jobs and promote ICT industry growth and development in Africa.”
Currently, Huawei employs a workforce of over 7,100 across Africa and has created 12,000 jobs indirectly through procurement and outsourcing services.
In the last five years, Huawei’s seven training centers in Africa have provided training to15,000 engineers, a commitment that is well aligned with the company’s strategies of “transferring technologies to Africa” and “intensifying localization efforts”.
Under these strategies, Huawei plans to support and develop the sustainable growth of Africa’s ICT industry by cultivating local talent.
In the carrier space, Huawei will continue to enhance communications infrastructure construction and mobile broadband network deployment, to allow users to enjoy easier and more affordable network and communications services.
In the enterprise space, Huawei will strengthen its cooperation with local industry, to build Africa’s “Smart Cities”, and promote the implementation of remote e-education, mobile banking, intelligent transportation, and intelligent power projects, to accelerate the informatization of industries. In the consumer and smart device spaces, Huawei will continue to launch quality products by focusing on the consumer experience.
The company will also increase investments in technology innovation, focusing on product design, processes, and quality, while improving software and the overall user experience.
When speaking of Huawei’s future plans for Africa, Ding said, “The future development of the ICT industry is reliant on several factors, including, effective planning, innovative technologies, and sufficient investment. The successful implementation of these three strands will improve the competitiveness of the industry and promote the development of the digital economy.
Huawei is entirely committed to our work in Africa and to our support of public and private stakeholders. We are confident that the future of the industry in Africa holds many opportunities, and we will continue to increase our investment in this region and play a more active role in reshaping society though ICT.”
While commending Huawei success stories in Africa, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating coordinating minister for the Economy and minister of Finance said that, “We appreciate Huawei’s plan of establishing ICT scholarship in some Nigerian Universities”
Similarly, Mr Daniel Kablan Duncan, Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire noted that, “Huawei has made great performance in 2013. The launch of Huawei P7 Smartphone is another success to show Huawei’s leading technology. We thank Huawei for its efforts of introducing high technology solutions to Côte d’Ivoire. Huawei is welcomed to bring more experience and skills to local society”
For Mr Moussa Mara, prime minister of Mali, Huawei should build more capacity in Africa especially in Mali. “We welcome Huawei to push more projects between China and Mali.”
“We welcome Huawei to do more contribution to Togo on skills transferring, local talent cultivation and training,” H.E. Ms Cina Lawson, minister of Posts and Digital Economy of Togo said.
In a recent revelation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Airtel Nigeria has emerged as a standout performer in the country’s telecommunications sector, marking significant gains in market share over the past year.
According to the NCC data, by the end of March 2024, Airtel Nigeria has grown its market share over the last year into a remarkable 29%, solidifying its position as a leading telecom provider in the region.
In stark contrast, other mobile network operators such as MTN and 9mobile have faced considerable setbacks, with MTN witnessing a notable 3.19% decline in market share and 9mobile experiencing a 0.5% decrease.
Even Glo, a prominent player in the market, saw a decline, albeit less pronounced, with a 0.58% drop in its share of internet subscribers.
Airtel Nigeria’s success story goes beyond market share gains. The company has also witnessed a substantial surge in its share of internet subscribers, boasting an impressive 165% basis points increase.
This surge correlates with the launch of Airtel 5G, which the company began rolling out in June 2023 and underscores the telco’s continued push to grow its customer base nationwide.
Airtel Nigeria’s ascendancy in the telecom market comes at a pivotal moment when mobile network operators face challenges of rising operations cost and exchange rates volatility. The company’s recent results solidify its position as a frontrunner in Nigeria’s telecom landscape.
Google Developer Groups Lagos (GDGLagos) has announced a regional edition of the global #BuildWithAI hackathon, in partnership with SeerBit, Africa’s most trusted payment solutions provider and GOMYCODE.
This hackathon, taking place on Saturday, April 27th and Wednesday, May 1st, 2024, will empower participants to explore Google’s AI tools, Gemini and Vertex AI and develop innovative solutions for real-world challenges.
“We are excited to partner with Seerbit and GoMyCode to bring the #BuildWithAI hackathon to Lagos,” says Co-Organizer, GDGLagos, Femi Taiwo. “This event fosters innovation and empowers individuals to use AI to solve real-world problems. We encourage everyone interested in AI to join us for this inspiring event.”
Founder & CEO of SeerBit, Omoniyi Kolade articulated the profound impact of this collaboration, stating, “At SeerBit, we are committed to pioneering innovative solutions that enhance financial security and foster trust in digital transactions. Collaborating with GDG Lagos amplifies our quest to combat fraud effectively. Together, we aim to empower developers to harness the power of technology for the greater good, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.”
“At GOMYCODE, we are committed to unlocking the potential of innovators across Nigeria and beyond through accessible technology education. The ‘Build With AI’ hackathon with Google Developer Groups Lagos offers a hands-on chance for innovators to use AI for real-world solutions. We’re excited to create a space where technology meets creativity, empowering participants to actively shape the future,” Country Head, GOMYCODE Nigeria, Babatunde Olaifa said.
The #BuildWithAI hackathon aligns with Google’s global initiative to democratize access to AI technology. This regional event in Lagos offers a unique opportunity for developers, data scientists, designers, students, and anyone curious about AI to:
- Gain hands-on experience with Google’s cutting-edge AI tools, Gemini and Vertex AI.
- Tackle real-world challenges across various sectors like sustainability, finance, education, healthcare, and social good.
- Leverage SeerBit’s expertise in digital payments to create solutions with tangible applications.
- Develop in-demand skills with the support of GoMyCode’s training resources.
- Collaborate in teams and network with fellow AI enthusiasts.
- Compete for a chance to win a cash prize of NGN 1,000,000, office space to further develop their winning solution, and the opportunity to partner with SeerBit, with NGN 500,000 and NGN 250,000 for second and third place respectively.
The GDGLagos #BuildWithAI hackathon serves as a springboard for the global Google AI Hackathon, taking place online. This international event focuses on pushing the boundaries of what Generative AI apps can do with Gemini. Participants in the Lagos event are highly encouraged to consider entering the global competition as well.
GDGLagos will provide ongoing support and guidance to the regional winner as they prepare to compete on the global stage. This includes access to mentorship, resources and technical expertise to help them refine their solution and showcase their talent to a worldwide audience.
Startup founders, experienced developers, data scientists and expert resources and designated mentors will be available during the hackathon to provide guidance, refine ideas, answer questions and offer technical support to participants. This ensures they receive the necessary guidance to tackle the challenges and bring their innovative ideas to life.
Telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria has collaborated with the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to provide with unlimited internet access at the institute’s inaugural edition of the Nigeria Public Relations Week.
The trailblazing event themed ‘Leveraging Public Relations as a Critical Asset for Nigeria’s Economic and Reputation Renaissance’ is set to run from Monday, April 22nd to Friday, April 26th, 2024, and will welcome thousands of delegates across Nigeria to the prestigious June 12 Cultural Centre, nestled in the heart of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Speaking on the strategic collaboration, Femi Adeniran, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Airtel is proud to support the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in its endeavor to advance the field of public relations.
“The relevance of public relations practice in Nigeria cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in shaping perceptions, managing reputations, and influencing public opinion. Hence, our support is a demonstration of our commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with innovative solutions that drive progress and create an enabling society.”
According to NIPR, through the PRWeek Organizing \Committee Chairman, Mr Yomi Badejo Okusanya, the NPRW will gather over 2,000 experts in the fields of economics, PR, and nation-building to discuss strategies for effectively communicating government policies and initiatives to the public.
Other activities at the NPRW will include conferences, the annual general meeting, workshops, induction of new members, breakout sessions with students as well as traditional rulers and a tour of some legacy projects in Ogun state.
With Airtel’s provision of onsite unlimited data connection, attendees and participants can enjoy unparalleled access to online resources, real-time updates, and interactive engagements throughout the duration of the event. This will significantly support the exchange of ideas, foster networking opportunities, and elevate the overall experience for all stakeholders involved.
Airtel Nigeria remains committed to offering unwavering support for initiatives aimed at driving innovation, collaboration, and nation-building.
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