MTN Group and Huawei have expanded their partnership, setting out plans to deploy more artificial intelligence driven telecom networks across Africa as both companies push deeper into next-generation connectivity and digital infrastructure.
The South African telecommunications company and the Chinese technology firm said the new phase of their collaboration will focus on intelligent network evolution, digital inclusion, home broadband growth, data monetisation, stronger digital infrastructure, and environmental, social and governance initiatives.
A major part of the agreement centres on MTN’s move towards Level 4 Autonomous Networks. The company said the initiative will introduce agentic networks supported by AI copilots and intelligent agents, with the aim of moving network management away from manual processes and towards more autonomous systems. These systems are expected to support closed-loop optimisation across network planning, deployment, and day-to-day operations.
Both firms also said they would work together to address Africa’s coverage and usage gaps. This will involve validating and scaling lower-cost rural network solutions, while also exploring more affordable device options and new access models designed to widen digital access across underserved communities.
The partnership will further target the coordinated development of fibre to the home and 5G fixed wireless access services. MTN and Huawei said they plan to explore new deployment models, more affordable customer premises equipment, and joint go-to-market strategies to speed up broadband expansion for households.
In addition, the collaboration will focus on improving broadband provisioning efficiency and strengthening intelligent operations and maintenance capabilities. The companies said this is expected to improve service delivery and support better operating cost performance.
They also plan to examine secure and compliant data monetisation models driven by AI-based precision operations, with the goal of unlocking greater value from network and service data. At the same time, both parties intend to strengthen digital infrastructure across the continent through AI-ready data centres, fibre networks, and connectivity platforms that can support Africa’s growing digital economy.
As part of the arrangement, MTN and Huawei will make use of the Huawei and MTN Technology Innovation Lab at MTN Group’s headquarters in South Africa. The facility will serve as a platform for a phased innovation process that allows selected use cases to move from proof of concept to pilot testing and eventual commercial rollout.
The companies said this approach is expected to speed up the large-scale deployment of innovations developed through their joint work.
