Huawei Urges Open Innovation and Collaboration to Combat Digital Divide

Huawei's Call for Open Innovation and Collaboration

At the ICT Sustainability Roundtable held during MWC Barcelona 2025, Huawei, a leader in information and communication technology (ICT), stressed the importance of fostering open innovation and collaboration among policymakers and stakeholders. The aim is to prevent a new digital divide that could arise due to the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years.

In his opening remarks, Ken Hu, rotating chairman of Huawei, emphasized how digital technologies and partnerships contribute to sustainable changes for both people and the planet. He noted the success stories from Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative, which aims to ensure no one is left behind in the digital realm. Hu warned, "As AI makes the world smarter, we risk witnessing a new digital divide. We must pay attention to this and work together to bridge the gap."

The Importance of Collaboration

Hu advocated for creating more inclusive institutional frameworks and called on technology companies to adopt open innovation practices. He highlighted the need for open collaboration platforms that promote inclusivity. The ICT Sustainability Roundtable featured global experts and partners from Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative to illustrate how collaborative digital inclusion projects empower disadvantaged communities with essential digital skills.

Eng. John Tanui, CBS, representing the Kenyan government, shared how partnerships with Huawei align with Kenya’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to foster digital economic development through enhanced digital infrastructure and governmental service digitization. He noted the successful training of nearly 6,000 young Kenyans through the Huawei TECH4ALL DigiTruck initiative since 2019.

John Tanui remarked, "In Kenya, we believe that no one should be left behind. Huawei is a strategic partner in enhancing digital skills through initiatives like TECH4ALL, which we leverage to promote digital inclusion." The program teaches young people about smartphone functionalities, online safety risks, and responsible internet usage.

Success Stories from DigiTruck Initiative

The 2024 DigiTruck Digital Literacy Skills Program Evaluation report revealed that 93% of participants improved their employability through the training. Additionally, it showed a significant increase in usage of the internet for business activities, such as e-commerce, among the trainees. The mobility of the DigiTruck has been critical in reaching remote communities.

Moreover, the Universal Service Fund Pakistan (USF) discussed its collaboration with the Pakistani government, Huawei, and the ITU-D to transform rural villages through the TECH4ALL Smart Village Pakistan projects, which provide connectivity, e-education, e-health initiatives, and digital skills training to local communities.

The UNESCO and Universidad de Alicante also emphasized their joint efforts to enhance global digital skills, particularly through the Huawei ICT Academy aimed at cultivating the next generation of ICT talent.

Technology for Conservation

In the field of conservation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) presented how ICT is redefining sustainability through their partnership with Huawei under the TECH4ALL initiative. This collaboration has supported thirteen flagship projects in eleven countries, innovating technological solutions for protected areas.

Conclusion

All the projects highlighted during the roundtable underscore technology innovation and cross-sector partnerships as essential to leveraging the potential of ICT for creating a sustainable and inclusive digital world. The TECH4ALL initiative stands as Huawei’s long-term commitment to promoting digital inclusion globally. For further information, visit Huawei's TECH4ALL webpage at Huawei TECH4ALL.

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