by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG – HUAWEI reports surpassing its pledge to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition to connect 120 million people in remote areas by 2025.
The Chinese global powerhouse has provided digital connectivity to 170 million people in those areas.
Yang Chaobin, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei ICT business group (BG), disclosed this at the company’s TECH Cares Forum in Barcelona, Spain.
Huawei had made the pledge to the ITU P2C Digital Coalition in 2022.
Chaobin extended his gratitude to Huawei’s telecom customers and partners for their collaborative efforts.
Nonetheless, Yang pointed out that despite rapid AI advancements, the digital divide persisted and risked widening further.
“High-speed digital networks and robust computing capabilities are essential foundations for an inclusive and sustainable AI era,” he said.
The fulfillment of the ITU P2C pledge, he added, reflects Huawei’s ongoing commitment to innovation — bringing remote communities improved access to healthcare, education, and financial services through digital connectivity.
Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, commended Huawei’s achievements and work to bridge the digital divide.
“Connecting the rural and underserved communities requires innovative business models, inclusivity and the effective use of communication resources as well as community engagement, and sustained investment in local capacity,” he said.
Jeff Wang, President of Huawei Public Affairs and Communications, said digital inclusion rested on inclusive connectivity and digital skills empowerment.
To address the digital skills gap, Huawei partners with governments and organisations to support students, youth, the elderly, and women through three initiatives thereby expanding digital access, offering digital skills training, and developing STEM curricula.
Since its launch in 2019, Huawei’s Skills on Wheels program has brought mobile digital training to over 130 000 people in 21 countries,
In rural network innovation, Huawei has continuously upgraded its Rural Series solutions since 2017 to improve affordability and deployment efficiency.
Launched in November 2025, Huawei RuralCow extends coverage to villages of around 1 500 residents with the support from MTN Nigeria.
These solutions have helped achieve the target of connecting 170 million people while boosting local economies and enabling wider access to digital public services.
– CAJ News
