This is the first edition of GITEX Africa. What was your intention in attending this event? And what were you showcasing this year?
We are truly honored to be a part of the first edition of GITEX Africa. As a platinum sponsor, we are showcasing various technologies and solutions to facilitate Africa’s digital transition. As a global leader providing solutions and infrastructures on ICT, Huawei’s vision is to give every individual, household and organization access to digital technologies.
We have been established on the continent for more than twenty years and are committed to seeing this vision of a fully connected and intelligent world becoming a reality in Africa.
Digital inclusion is a major topic in Africa, and for those of us who have access, there are several sectors where extensive support is provided in many countries. Today, what would you say is still one of the biggest challenges? Is it primarily the digital infrastructure, education, or the availability of devices?
Yes, I would say that digital inclusion encompasses a wide range of factors. It involves facilitating user access and citizen access. Consequently, Huawei’s launched its long-term initiative “TECH4ALL” to promote digital inclusion for all – providing technology and connectivity, which serves as the foundation for various digital applications, such as e-learning and e-health.
One of Huawei’s goals in Africa is what we refer to as “TECH4All” – providing technology and connectivity to every individual and household anytime, everywhere.
MOHAMED MADKOUR
CHIEF CYBER SECURITY OFFICER AT HUAWEI EGYPT
Together with our partners, we are committed to innovating technologies and solutions that make the world a more inclusive and sustainable space for all.
What would you consider a challenge in the field of education? We can observe that Africa is a remarkably young continent, with most of its population below 30 years old. Do you believe it is possible to bridge the gap between rural and semi-rural areas and established urban centers?
So, one of the significant challenges in Africa, as you mentioned, is the substantial disparity in the learning curve and educational maturity between citizens in rural areas and those in more developed regions. There is indeed a considerable gap that needs to be addressed.
Our aim is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their location, has equal access to quality education, healthcare, smart transportation.
MOHAMED MADKOUR
CHIEF CYBER SECURITY OFFICER AT HUAWEI EGYPT
Nevertheless, the increasing youth population of the African continent is its main asset. We firmly believe that digital education for young generations is pivotal for development. Thus, Huawei has trained several thousand people in Africa over the past few years, and this only through the Huawei ICT Academy program.
In Egypt, for example, we have established more than 82 academies at more than 45 private and public universities and trained more than 10,000 graduates since its inception in 2019. We strive to invent and promote sustainable goals encompassing digital access and inclusion.
Our aim is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their location, has equal access to quality education, healthcare, smart transportation. We are dedicated to providing these essential services. Our focus is on minimizing these disparities so that we can deliver services to all citizens at the same quality level.
When discussing digital infrastructure, what we observe is that African countries face unique challenges. So, what would you say is your strongest asset in supporting the development of digital infrastructure in Africa?
In partnership with our local partners, we offer innovative, secure and reliable network products and solutions to accelerate the development of the digital economy in African countries. By strengthening the infrastructure of each of these spaces, we are helping to bridge the digital gap in remote areas of the continent. We provide various types of connectivity in terms of infrastructure, including fibre, wireless, and cloud, to ensure users remain connected and receive the essential services they need.
So, what would you say is the outlook for the continent over the next five to ten years? What can be considered wishful thinking, and what do you think is a more realistic point of view? We have been hearing discussions about connectivity for the past 10-15 years, but progress has been rather slow, taking small, incremental steps.
At Huawei, we firmly believe in Africa. We are committed to supporting the sustainable development of the continent. Our goal for Africa’s digital transition revolves around three main pillars: digital infrastructure, support for startups and youth development and digital governance. We provide reliable communication solutions and connectivity, ensuring access to the latest technologies for all to accelerate the continent’s digital transformation, drive economic growth and improve quality of life.
