MTN Group announced on Wednesday it has officially inaugurated a Technology Innovation Lab in partnership with Huawei Technologies that aims to help accelerate digital transformation and sustainable development across Africa.
The lab, located at MTN Group’s headquarters in Johannesburg, is designed to serve as a hub for experimentation, demonstration, and skill-building for MTN teams, partners and other stakeholders.
MTN said the lab will focus on research and development for areas including 5G and 5G-A technologies, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cloud computing, FTTH, automation and digital financial services – all of which it regards as catalysts for Africa’s digital development.
At the launch event, the lab showcased tech use cases for networks, fintech, IT and cybersecurity.
MTN Group president and CEO Ralph Mupita, said the Technology Innovation Lab aims to enable cross-regional collaboration to stimulate the African digital ecosystem.
“It will catalyse the growth of the digital economy, fostering innovation and generating long-lasting opportunities to empower communities and advance the continent’s development,” he said in a statement.
Mupita also said the lab will enable development of sustainable digital tech solutions designed specifically for African markets. “It’s about solutions born in Africa, for Africa.”
MTN and Huawei first revealed plans to create the innovation lab under a Memorandum of Understanding signed at Mobile World Congress 2024 in February.
