Huawei has announced that it has provided digital connectivity to 170 million people in remote areas across more than 80 countries, surpassing the commitment it made under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition.
The announcement was made by Yang Chaobin, CEO of Huawei ICT Business Group, at the company’s TECH Cares Forum held in Barcelona. He said the milestone exceeds Huawei’s 2022 pledge to the ITU P2C Digital Coalition to connect 120 million people in remote areas by 2025. Yang also extended his appreciation to Huawei’s telecom customers and partners for their continued collaboration in achieving this target.
The forum brought together around 80 representatives from governments, industry, partner organisations and international bodies. Participants held in-depth discussions on the need to advance digital inclusion in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on practical solutions and stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration.
In his opening remarks, Yang noted that despite rapid advancements in AI, the digital divide remains and could widen further if not addressed. “High-speed digital networks and robust computing capabilities are essential foundations for an inclusive and sustainable AI era,” he said. The fulfillment of the ITU P2C pledge, he added, reflects Huawei’s ongoing commitment to innovation and its efforts to enhance access to healthcare, education and financial services in underserved communities through improved digital connectivity.
Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the ITU, commended Huawei’s efforts to bridge the digital divide. “Connecting the rural and underserved communities requires innovative business models, inclusivity and the effective use of communication resources as well as community engagement, and sustained investment in local capacity. I applaud Huawei’s commitment to universal and meaningful connectivity and I am proud of our strong and successful partnership.”
Jeff Wang, President of Public Affairs and Communications at Huawei, stated that digital inclusion is built on two key pillars: inclusive connectivity and digital skills empowerment. To address the digital skills gap, Huawei works with governments and organisations to support students, youth, women and the elderly through initiatives aimed at expanding digital access, providing digital skills training and developing STEM curricula.
Since its launch in 2019, Huawei’s Skills on Wheels programme has delivered mobile digital training to over 130,000 people in 21 countries, creating new opportunities for underserved communities.
Marina Madale, Executive of Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Group, asserts that connectivity is not a privilege, it is foundational infrastructure for Africa’s growth. In alignment with Jeff Wang, she noted that MTN is prioritizing expanding rural connectivity, driving device affordability and building digital and AI-ready skills.
In the area of rural network innovation, Huawei has continued to enhance its Rural Series solutions since 2017 to improve affordability and ease of deployment. Launched in November 2025, Huawei RuralCow extends network coverage to villages with populations of around 1,500 residents, with support from MTN Nigeria. These solutions have contributed to reaching the 170 million connectivity milestone, while supporting local economic development and expanding access to digital public services.
During the forum, guests shared progress from their collaboration with Huawei and expressed willingness to deepen cooperation. All participants agreed that advancing digital inclusion in the AI era requires joint efforts from governments, operators, international organizations, and enterprises.
Going forward, Huawei will continue to drive innovation in rural network technologies, deepen open collaboration, and accelerate digital skills empowerment. Through concrete actions, the company will keep contributing to a more equitable and sustainable digital world.