Huawei Drives Inclusive, Sustainable Digital Transformation at Africa CEO Forum 2023

Rabat – Chinese technology giant Huawei participated in this year’s Africa CEO Forum held in Abidjan from 5th-6th June, reaffirming its dedication to fostering public-private dialogue in Africa and contributing to the continent’s socio-economic progress.

Attended by 2,000 participants, including business leaders, investors, financial institution representatives, and political decision-makers, the event served as a platform for discussing Africa’s emergence as a thriving economy.

With the theme “From 300 to 3000: how to accelerate the emergence of the next generation of African champions,” the high-level international summit featured conferences, debates, workshops, and high-level meetings, focusing on the vital role of the private sector in driving economic growth in strategically important sectors for Africa.

Having operated in Africa for over two decades and being a key player in the telecom infrastructure sector, Huawei expressed its unwavering commitment to supporting customers and partners in their digital transformation.

The technology giant believes that digital transformation is a fundamental pillar for Africa’s overall growth, as stated in their press release.

Demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive digital development, a delegation of high-level Huawei representatives, including Huawei Vice-President Tonny Bao; Philippe Wang, Executive Vice President of Huawei Northern Africa; and Vincent Sun, President of Orange Key Account at Huawei, took part in the 9th Africa CEO Forum.

Sharing Insights on the African Digital Economy

During the two-day event, the high-level Huawei representatives shared their insights and expertise on the opportunities and challenges presented by the rise of the African digital economy.

As part of the program, Huawei hosted a panel discussion on the theme “Unleash Digital for a Sustainable and Inclusive Africa” on Monday, June 5.

Bao delivered the opening speech, emphasizing the importance of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 in transforming the continent’s economy. “Building a fully digital and inclusive Africa has become a common development objective for African countries, as highlighted in the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” he said. “Africa’s digital transformation will enable the continent to lead the way towards rapid and sustainable growth that will benefit countries’ economic and social fabric.”

The Minister in Charge of the Communication and Digital Economy of Cote d’Ivoire, Amadou Coulibaly, also participated in the panel discussion. The Ivorian minister highlighted, “Coal was the energy that accelerated the industrial revolution in Europe in the last century, and today digital is the energy that is propelling Africa towards its industrial revolution.”

Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Africa, Lacina Kone, stressed the need to encourage “local financing but also the confidence of local authorities” in the role that start-ups can play in accelerating the economies of countries.

Tonny BAO, Vice President, Huawei, giving his opening speech at the panel hosted by Huawei at the Africa CEO Forum

The panel discussion featured other notable participants, including Adnane Ben Halima, Vice President in Charge of Public Relations for the Mediterranean region of Huawei Northern Africa; Brelotte Ba, Deputy CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa; and Jeremy Awori, Group Chief Executive Officer at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated.

Their presence on the panel underscored the collaborative efforts within a strong ecosystem to drive the digital revolution, especially in the context of addressing climate change imperatives.

Huawei concluded its press release by emphasizing the crucial need to seize the opportunities offered by new technologies while aligning them with current challenges, particularly the objectives of carbon neutrality and the urgency of reducing the ecological footprint.

The company’s active participation in the Africa CEO Forum further solidified its commitment to Africa’s digital transformation and its belief in the potential of technology to drive sustainable development on the continent.