Huawei has provided digital connectivity to 170 million people in remote areas across more than 80 countries, surpassing its pledge to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Partner2Connect Digital Coalition.

The announcement was made by Yang Chaobin, CEO, Huawei ICT BG, at the company’s TECH Cares Forum in Barcelona. He said the milestone exceeds the commitment Huawei made in 2022 when joining the ITU Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition. At that time, the company pledged to connect 120 million people in remote areas by 2025.

Yang also expressed gratitude to Huawei’s telecom customers and partners for their collaboration in achieving the target.

The forum brought together around 80 guests from governments, industries, partner organizations, and international bodies. Participants discussed the urgent need to advance digital inclusion in the AI era. They also explored practical solutions and emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration.

During his opening speech, Yang noted that the digital divide continues to persist despite rapid advances in artificial intelligence. He said high-speed digital networks and strong computing capabilities are essential foundations for an inclusive and sustainable AI era. According to him, fulfilling the ITU P2C pledge reflects Huawei’s continued commitment to innovation and expanding digital connectivity.

He added that improved connectivity can help remote communities gain better access to healthcare, education, and financial services.

Cosmas Zavazava praised the company’s efforts to bridge the digital divide. He said connecting rural and underserved communities requires innovative business models, inclusive approaches, effective use of communication resources, and sustained investment in local capacity. Zavazava also welcomed the strong partnership between the ITU and Huawei in advancing universal and meaningful connectivity.

Meanwhile, Jeff Wang highlighted that digital inclusion depends on two key pillars: inclusive connectivity and digital skills empowerment. He explained that Huawei works with governments and organizations to address the digital skills gap. The company focuses on supporting students, youth, the elderly, and women through initiatives that expand digital access, provide digital skills training, and develop STEM curricula.

Since its launch in 2019, Huawei’s Skills on Wheels program has delivered mobile digital training to more than 130,000 people in 21 countries. The initiative aims to create new opportunities for underserved communities through practical digital education.

At the forum, Marina Madale emphasized that connectivity should not be viewed as a privilege. Instead, she described it as essential infrastructure for Africa’s growth. She added that MTN Group is prioritizing rural connectivity expansion, improving device affordability, and developing digital and AI-ready skills.

In addition, Huawei has continued to upgrade its Rural Series solutions since 2017 to improve affordability and deployment efficiency in rural areas. In November 2025, the company launched Huawei RuralCow, a solution designed to extend coverage to villages of around 1,500 residents. The deployment was supported by MTN Nigeria.

These technologies have helped connect 170 million people while also boosting local economies and enabling broader access to digital public services.

During the forum, participants shared updates from their collaborations with Huawei. They also expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation in the future. All stakeholders agreed that advancing digital inclusion in the AI era requires joint efforts from governments, telecom operators, international organizations, and private enterprises.

Looking ahead, Huawei plans to continue driving innovation in rural network technologies and expanding open collaboration. The company also aims to accelerate digital skills empowerment initiatives. Through these efforts, Huawei intends to keep advancing digital inclusion and building a more equitable and sustainable digital world.

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