Huawei and the MTN Group have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based smart networks in Africa. The agreement establishes the development of Level 4 Autonomous Networks (AN L4), with AI as the primary driver to improve network planning, deployment, and operation.
According to the Tech Africa website, the partnership aims to drive the continent’s digital transformation to enhance digital inclusion, infrastructure, and operational efficiency.
The two companies also intend to move toward a network architecture driven by intelligent agents, to promote the transition from “human-driven” operational models to “agent-driven” models, with autonomous capabilities throughout the entire network lifecycle.
“In the future, networks will not only provide connectivity but also support AI-driven service experiences and innovation to enable the coordinated growth of user experience and commercial value. Huawei will continue to deepen its strategic cooperation with MTN toward the AN L4 goal and jointly build network capabilities centered on Artificial Intelligence to support the long-term sustainable development of Africa’s digital economy,” said Li Peng, senior vice president of Huawei.
Among the priority areas, the two parties will deepen cooperation in several key areas, such as:
- Digital Inclusion: addressing the coverage and usage gap through the scalable validation and replication of low-cost rural network solutions, by exploring strategies for affordable devices and innovative access models;
- Residential Broadband: promoting the coordinated development of FTTH and 5G FWA, exploring innovative deployment models as well as affordable CPE solutions and joint market entry approaches;
- Operational Efficiency: improving the efficiency of broadband provisioning and smart operation and maintenance (O&M) capabilities to optimize service delivery and OPEX performance;
- Data Monetization: explore compliant and secure models, driven by AI-powered precision operations, to unlock the value of network and service data;
- Digital Infrastructure: strengthen AI-ready data centers, fiber networks, and connectivity platforms to consolidate Africa’s smart economy.
The partnership will be supported by the Huawei & MTN Technology Innovation Lab, located at the MTN Group’s headquarters in South Africa, to enable the testing and scaling of innovative solutions from the proof-of-concept phase through to commercial deployment.
“The partnership aims to create measurable value that improves the group’s profitability while accelerating progress in residential broadband, device upgrades, and the development of smart capabilities,” said Selorm Adadevoh, Chief Commercial Officer of the MTN Group.
According to representatives from both companies, the goal is to create measurable value, strengthen the MTN Group’s profitability, accelerate the development of smart network capabilities, and pave the way for future technological evolution, including the transition to 6G.
In addition, Huawei stated that it is creating Artificial Intelligence-Centric Network solutions to enable smart services, networks, and network elements (NEs), accelerate the large-scale deployment of Level 4 autonomous networks, and use AI to modernize its core business. The company added that, together with other industry players, it aims to create leading value-driven networks and AI computing backbones for a fully intelligent future.
