Huawei Calls for Enhanced Open Innovation and Collaboration to Bridge the Digital Divide

Huawei Advocates for Open Innovation and Collaboration to Prevent Digital Divide

During a roundtable discussion on the sustainability of information and communication technologies (ICT) at MWC Barcelona 2025, Huawei urged key stakeholders and decision-makers in the ICT sector to broaden access to open innovation and collaboration efforts. This initiative aims to tackle the emerging digital divide heightened by the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years.

Ken Hu, Huawei's Chairman, emphasized in his opening remarks that digital technologies and partnerships are instrumental in fostering sustainable changes for individuals and the planet. He showcased examples from Huawei’s TECH4ALL program while stressing the importance of ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital world as AI continues to enhance intelligence across societies.

"As AI makes the world smarter, we may face a new digital divide. We must address this issue and collaborate to bridge it," remarked Ken Hu. He encouraged responsible officials to create more inclusive institutional frameworks and requested additional tech companies to support open innovation initiatives.

The sustainability roundtable featured global experts and partners from Huawei's TECH4ALL program, illustrating practical applications of this approach. Collaborative projects aimed at digital inclusion were highlighted as vital to equipping communities with necessary digital skills.

Eng. John Tanui CBS, representing the Kenyan government, noted that partnerships with companies like Huawei align with Kenya's Vision 2030 program by fostering economic development through digital infrastructure, public service digitization, and digital skills training for remote communities. For instance, Huawei’s TECH4ALL DigiTruck, a mobile classroom, has provided training to nearly six thousand Kenyan youth since 2019.

“In Kenya, we believe that no one should be left behind. That’s why Huawei is a strategic partner in expanding digital skills through initiatives like TECH4ALL, which we leverage to promote digital inclusion,” said Eng. John Tanui CBS, Principal Secretary at the Kenyan Ministry of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy.

The DigiTruck initiative has trained young people on smartphone functionalities, online safety, responsible internet use, and online account security. According to a 2024 evaluation report on the DigiTruck program released by the Kenyan government, 93% of DigiTruck trainees reported an improvement in their job skills, with a noted increase in employment rates among program participants and a significant rise in online business activities, such as e-commerce. The project's partner in Kenya, GSMA, acknowledged the mobility of the DigiTruck in reaching extremely remote communities.

In Pakistan, the Universal Service Fund (USF) is partnering with the government, Huawei, and ITU-D to transform rural areas through TECH4ALL Smart Village projects. These initiatives are providing local communities with internet connectivity, electronic education, and e-healthcare alongside training in digital skills.

Globally, UNESCO and the University of Alicante, Spain, are collaborating with Huawei to develop a new generation of ICT talents through the Huawei ICT Academy. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) showcased how ICT is transforming the approach to conservation through the global partnership between IUCN and Huawei under the Tech4Nature initiative, which has already supported 13 major projects across 11 countries, employing innovative technological solutions to protect valuable habitats.

The common theme across all the projects discussed during the roundtable was the emphasis on technological innovation and interdisciplinary partnerships. This approach is pivotal in leveraging the potential of ICT to create an inclusive and sustainable digital world.

About TECH4ALL

TECH4ALL is Huawei's long-term initiative and action plan focused on digital inclusion. Through innovative technologies and collaboration with partners, TECH4ALL aims to ensure inclusion and sustainability in the digital realm.

To learn more about the TECH4ALL initiative, visit Huawei TECH4ALL and follow us on X at @HUAWEI_TECH4ALL.