South Africa and Huawei forge strategic tech partnership in Shenzhen meeting

South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Blade Nzimande, has advanced bilateral technology cooperation through high-level discussions with Huawei South Africa CEO, Will Meng and senior executives at the company’s global headquarters. The engagement, held in Shenzhen, laid the groundwork for a forthcoming Letter of Intent between Huawei and South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). 

The meeting focused on aligning Huawei’s technological expertise with South Africa’s national priorities in digital infrastructure, skills development, and innovation-led economic growth. Minister Nzimande emphasized the partnership’s potential to accelerate progress in critical areas such as 5G deployment, artificial intelligence research, and cybersecurity capacity building. 

“This collaboration represents a strategic step toward bridging South Africa’s digital divide while developing homegrown innovation capabilities,” stated Nzimande. The Minister highlighted opportunities for joint initiatives in cloud computing, smart agriculture, and renewable energy technologies all key focus areas in South Africa’s Science, Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan. 

Huawei’s CEO Meng reaffirmed the company’s commitment to local skills transfer, referencing existing programs like the Huawei ICT Academy that has trained over 12,000 South African students since 2016. “We stand ready to support South Africa’s digital transformation through technology sharing, research partnerships, and entrepreneurship development,” Meng noted. 

The engagement builds on Huawei’s established presence in South Africa, where the company has invested R430 million in local research and development over the past five years. The Shenzhen discussions also explored potential synergies with South Africa’s National Space Agency and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research on satellite-enabled connectivity solutions. 

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye