The pan-African telecom company, MTN Group, and Huawei Technologies have collaborated to build a technology innovation lab aimed at accelerating digital transformation and sustainable development across Africa.
According to a statement released by MTN on Wednesday, the lab sited at the company’s headquarters in South Africa is poised to be a catalyst for digital progress in Africa.
By fostering cross-regional collaboration, it will stimulate the African digital ecosystem and promote the rapid development, deployment, and adoption of cutting-edge innovative solutions, the company added.
MTN noted that the lab would play a crucial role in its evolution, moving beyond the traditional telecommunications operator role to become a leading provider of comprehensive technology services.
Speaking on the impacts the lab is expected to have on the continent, the President and Chief Executive Officer of MTN Group, Ralph Mupita, said:
Mazen Mroué, Chief Technology and Information Officer at MTN Group emphasized during the inauguration of the project that the lab is more than just a hub for tech, but a platform for collaboration, demonstrating our technology capabilities resulting from the continuous investment made by MTN during the last 30 years.
Also commenting on the lab and the collaboration with MTN, the President of Huawei’s Wireless Solutions, Cao Ming, stated:
The technology innovation lab is expected to serve as a hub for experimentation, demonstration, and skill-building. MTN disclosed that the lab is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and resources designed to support cutting-edge research and development initiatives.
According to MTN, the lab is open to MTNers, partners, and other stakeholders based on prior reservations to access the facility.