Huawei Exceeds Expectations by Connecting 170 Million People Worldwide to Digital Services
In Barcelona, Spain, on March 5th, 2026, Huawei announced a significant milestone in its efforts to enhance digital connectivity. The company reported that it has connected 170 million people from remote regions to digital services in more than 80 countries, a feat that exceeds its commitment made under the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Partner2Connect initiative. This announcement was made by Yang Chaobin, CEO of Huawei's ICT BG, during the TECH Cares forum. He highlighted that this achievement goes beyond the promise made in 2022, where Huawei had pledged to connect 120 million individuals by 2025. Yang expressed gratitude towards clients and partners within Huawei's telecommunications division for their collaborative efforts in achieving this goal.
The TECH Cares forum gathered around 80 attendees, including government representatives, industry leaders, partner organizations, and global institutions. The discussions revolved around the pressing need for promoting digital inclusivity, especially in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), where practical solutions and diverse stakeholder collaborations are essential. Yang emphasized that despite rapid advancements in AI, the digital divide remains a significant challenge and could even widen if not addressed. He noted, 'High-speed digital networks and reliable computing capabilities are crucial for an inclusive and sustainable AI era.' Moreover, the fulfillment of the ITU P2C commitment underscores Huawei's unwavering dedication to innovation aimed at improving access to healthcare, education, and financial services through digital connectivity in underserved regions.
Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau, praised Huawei's achievements and efforts in bridging the digital divide, stating, 'Connecting rural and underprivileged areas requires innovative business models, inclusivity, effective use of communication resources, community involvement, and sustainable investments in local potential.' He expressed appreciation for Huawei's commitment to universal and meaningful connectivity opportunities, emphasizing the strength of the partnership between ITU and Huawei.
Jeff Wang, Huawei's President for Public Relations and Communications, highlighted that digital inclusivity relies on two main pillars: inclusive connectivity and digital skills acquisition. To address the skill gap, Huawei collaborates with governments and organizations to support students, youth, elderly communities, and women through initiatives focused on expanding digital access, digital skills training, and the development of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) educational programs. Since its launch in 2019, Huawei's 'Skills on Wheels' program has provided mobile digital training to over 130,000 individuals in 21 countries, opening new opportunities for communities with inadequate connectivity services.
Marina Madale, Executive Director for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Group, emphasized that connectivity is not merely a privilege but a fundamental infrastructure for development in Africa. Like Jeff Wang, she pointed out MTN's commitment to enhancing connectivity in rural areas and improving access to devices and digital skills training, especially in AI.
Regarding innovations in rural networks, Huawei has continuously updated its solutions since 2017 to enhance both accessibility and deployment efficiency. The recent Huawei RuralCow initiative, launched in November 2025, targets villages with populations of around 1,500 people, in collaboration with MTN Nigeria. These solutions have contributed to the target of connecting 170 million people while also stimulating local economies and broadening access to digital government services.
Throughout the forum, attendees shared experiences from their collaboration with Huawei and expressed readiness to deepen their cooperation. All participants agreed that promoting digital inclusivity in the AI era demands collaborative efforts from governments, operators, international organizations, and the business sector. Looking ahead, Huawei aims to continue driving innovation in rural networking technologies, strengthen open collaboration, and accelerate the development of digital skills. Through concrete actions, Huawei is dedicated to contributing towards a more equitable and sustainable digital world.
The TECH Cares forum gathered around 80 attendees, including government representatives, industry leaders, partner organizations, and global institutions. The discussions revolved around the pressing need for promoting digital inclusivity, especially in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), where practical solutions and diverse stakeholder collaborations are essential. Yang emphasized that despite rapid advancements in AI, the digital divide remains a significant challenge and could even widen if not addressed. He noted, 'High-speed digital networks and reliable computing capabilities are crucial for an inclusive and sustainable AI era.' Moreover, the fulfillment of the ITU P2C commitment underscores Huawei's unwavering dedication to innovation aimed at improving access to healthcare, education, and financial services through digital connectivity in underserved regions.
Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau, praised Huawei's achievements and efforts in bridging the digital divide, stating, 'Connecting rural and underprivileged areas requires innovative business models, inclusivity, effective use of communication resources, community involvement, and sustainable investments in local potential.' He expressed appreciation for Huawei's commitment to universal and meaningful connectivity opportunities, emphasizing the strength of the partnership between ITU and Huawei.
Jeff Wang, Huawei's President for Public Relations and Communications, highlighted that digital inclusivity relies on two main pillars: inclusive connectivity and digital skills acquisition. To address the skill gap, Huawei collaborates with governments and organizations to support students, youth, elderly communities, and women through initiatives focused on expanding digital access, digital skills training, and the development of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) educational programs. Since its launch in 2019, Huawei's 'Skills on Wheels' program has provided mobile digital training to over 130,000 individuals in 21 countries, opening new opportunities for communities with inadequate connectivity services.
Marina Madale, Executive Director for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Group, emphasized that connectivity is not merely a privilege but a fundamental infrastructure for development in Africa. Like Jeff Wang, she pointed out MTN's commitment to enhancing connectivity in rural areas and improving access to devices and digital skills training, especially in AI.
Regarding innovations in rural networks, Huawei has continuously updated its solutions since 2017 to enhance both accessibility and deployment efficiency. The recent Huawei RuralCow initiative, launched in November 2025, targets villages with populations of around 1,500 people, in collaboration with MTN Nigeria. These solutions have contributed to the target of connecting 170 million people while also stimulating local economies and broadening access to digital government services.
Throughout the forum, attendees shared experiences from their collaboration with Huawei and expressed readiness to deepen their cooperation. All participants agreed that promoting digital inclusivity in the AI era demands collaborative efforts from governments, operators, international organizations, and the business sector. Looking ahead, Huawei aims to continue driving innovation in rural networking technologies, strengthen open collaboration, and accelerate the development of digital skills. Through concrete actions, Huawei is dedicated to contributing towards a more equitable and sustainable digital world.
Topics Telecommunications）
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