Huawei: Skills shortage hinders Africa's digital transformation

Africa's digital transformation vision cannot be realized without a pool of skilled resources, and skills shortages limit the continent's ability to realize its full digital potential.

These were sentiments shared by Huawei sub-Saharan Africa region President Leo Chen during his opening address at the Huawei Eco-Connect 2023 conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday.

"Huawei is committed to tackling these challenges with its partners and we have developed a comprehensive set of technology solutions that can enable digital transformation across the continent," Chen continued.

Huawei has trained 100,000 people in digital technology through its LEAP program using its four national training centers and more than 400 ICT academies, the Huawei president said.

"There is also enormous growth in renewable energy and Huawei plans to train more than 1,000 energy partners, offering hands-on operations, on-site practice, and a training camp," Chen explained.

Digital partnerships are key

Chen said that to further grow the African digital economy, Huawei is committed to forging key partnerships with African governments as well as key stakeholders.

"Africa is projected to spend $46.4 billion on AI by 2026, and the continent has an opportunity to leapfrog to benefit from 4G and 5G industrial revolution," he added.

"The digital transformation of industries requires cost-effective solutions and relevant infrastructure. But there are challenges, which include a gap in computing power and storage capacity as well as a lack of easy ways to make new technology like AI and cloud available to all industries," Chen continued.

Africa needs affordable connectivity

South Africa's communications and digital technologies deputy minister, Philly Mapulane, said the deployment of the super-fast 5G networks in commercial operations is revolutionizing the global outlook.

But, for Africa to be on par with the world, affordable, reliable, and secure connectivity, as well as affordable broadband and digital devices, is imperative, Mapulane explained.

"While the world is exploring the post-5G ICT environment, Africa, and particularly the developing world, is still grappling with the challenges of bridging the digital divide," he said.

"We are acutely aware of the reality that our continent is lagging far behind. We live in a continent struggling to rollout the slower 4G network currently at 30% penetration," he continued.

South Africa's Communications and Digital Technologies Deputy Minister Philly Mapulane said while the world is exploring the post-5G ICT environment, Africa is struggling to bridge the digital divide. (Source: Image by Freepik).

To remedy the situation, Mapulane explained that South Africa will expand its accessibility to generative AI technologies, as well as champion initiatives like SA Connect, which aims to empower 80% of the South African population with connectivity in the next three years.

Representing the Gauteng provincial government, Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development MEC Lebogang Maile said most of the Gauteng population had access to the Internet through mobile devices.

This meant that the province's government had to convert service offerings to mobile platforms and modernize government services.

SA government uses tech to fight crime

Maile added that the provincial government had partnered with tech companies for crime prevention measures.

"In addition to the implementation of the Gauteng Broadband Network and modernizing of government services, we are deploying ICT measures to fight crime through deploying various high-tech ICT equipment and new interventions," he explained.

Echoing Maile's sentiments, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi asked companies present at the event to work with the government to fight crime.

"We need ideas, we need innovation to fight crime together and I am ready to put my last pound into the best innovation and the most creative technology so we can fight crime together," he added.

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*Top image is of Huawei sub-Saharan Africa region President Leo Chen. (Source: Huawei.)

— Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor, Connecting Africa