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Huawei Advocates for Expanding Open Innovation and Collaboration

During the ICT Sustainability Roundtable held at MWC Barcelona 2025, Huawei emphasized the need for increased open innovation and collaboration among decision-makers and stakeholders in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. This initiative aims to prevent the creation of a new digital divide due to the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years.

Ken Hu, Huawei's rotating chairman, highlighted how digital technologies and partnerships drive sustainable change for both people and the planet. He invoked examples from the TECH4ALL program, which strives for digital inclusion. Hu stressed that governments and the ICT industry must expand collaborative platforms to ensure everyone remains connected in today’s digital world.

"As AI makes smart solutions widely accessible, we foresee the emergence of a new digital divide. We must address this issue and work together to bridge the gap," Hu stated. He urged decision-makers to establish more inclusive institutional frameworks and called for technology companies to embrace open innovation. The objective is to collaborate on building more open platforms for cooperation.

To explore these concepts practically, the roundtable gathered experts and partners from Huawei's TECH4ALL to showcase collaborative projects focused on digital inclusion. These initiatives aim to equip underserved communities with essential digital skills, enabling them to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape.

John Tanui, representing the Kenyan government, shared insights on how partnering with Huawei aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030. This collaboration supports digital economic growth by implementing digital infrastructure, government services, and providing digital skills training to remote and rural communities. For instance, the DigiTruck project—a mobile classroom mounted on a truck—has enabled training for nearly 6,000 Kenyan youths since its inception in 2019.

In Kenya, the belief is that no one should be left behind. As such, Huawei acts as a strategic partner in enhancing digital skills through initiatives like TECH4ALL, which promote digital inclusion. Tanui emphasized, "Through mobile DigiTruck units, we have trained youths on smartphone use, internet safety, responsible online behavior, and securing online accounts."

A report published by the Kenyan government titled the “2024 DigiTruck Digital Skills Development Program Assessment” indicated that 93% of trainees improved their professional skills due to the training received. The report also identified higher employment rates among those who underwent the training and a significant increase in internet usage for business purposes, including e-commerce. GSMA, a partner in the DigiTruck initiative, further underscored the essential mobility of DigiTruck in reaching the most remote communities.

The Universal Service Fund Pakistan (USF) discussed how its collaboration with the Pakistani government, Huawei, and ITU-D is transforming rural areas through the Smart Village Pakistan projects under TECH4ALL. These efforts involve connectivity initiatives, e-learning, e-health projects, along with training on digital skills, thus benefiting local communities.

Furthermore, UNESCO and the University of Alicante in Spain focused on the global development of digital skills. They collaborated with Huawei’s ICT Academy to nurture the next generation's talents in the ICT field. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) showcased how the ICT sector is innovating conservation efforts through the global IUCN-Huawei TECH4ALL Tech4Nature partnership that supports 13 flagship projects across 11 countries with innovative tech solutions for protected areas.

A notable theme that emerged from the roundtable discussions was the emphasis on technological innovations and cross-sector partnerships. This approach is critical for harnessing the potential of ICT to create an inclusive and sustainable digital world.

About TECH4ALL

TECH4ALL is a long-term initiative launched by Huawei to promote digital inclusion. It aims to support social inclusion and sustainable development in a digital age through innovative technologies and established partnerships.
For more information, visit Huawei TECH4ALL. Follow us on X: HUAWEI_TECH4ALL.