On 10 May 2020, Huawei's President for Southern Africa, Chen Lei, emphasized the critical role of technology in Africa's economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lei noted that the pandemic has accelerated the digital revolution, with organizations across the globe shifting into action to adapt to the new reality.
At Huawei, the organization recognized the massive impact of the pandemic on communities and took proactive steps to support its business partners on the African continent through ICT.
One such initiative was the provision of video conferencing systems to enable information sharing locally and internationally, helping to prevent the spread of the epidemic.
These systems have also enabled medical institutions to communicate more efficiently, with Huawei implementing an AI-based diagnosis solution in several medical institutions, resulting in CT scan reviews being completed 80% faster.
Lei emphasized that Huawei will continue to use its core information and communication capabilities to support Africa's epidemic control efforts.
As the world transitions to a new normal, Lei believes that ICT will play a vital role in building social cohesion, driving economic growth, and improving the quality of life for all citizens.
With the establishment of national data centers, optical fiber networks, and communication base stations, Africa has a historic opportunity to catch up with and overtake other nations in terms of human development.
As Lei concluded, 'good honing gives a sharp edge to a sword.' It is essential to hone our abilities, just like Hlumelo and the dancers of the Shanghai ballet, so that when the new dawn arrives, we are well-prepared to seize the day.
