The HUAWEI SOUTH AFRICA CONNECT 2026 was successfully held. The conference, themed “Advancing Industrial All Intelligence for South Africa,” attracted over 2,900 participants, including representatives from the South African government, industry customers, and partners. At the conference, Huawei proposed a path for the intelligent transformation of industries in South Africa, providing new directions for the industrial digital intelligence of South African.
At the conference, Solly Malatsi, Hon. Minister of Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, delivered welcome speeches. In his speech, Solly Malatsi stated:“We have a responsibility to ensure that we don’t only view AI as a threat to be feared, nor as a trend to be followed lightly. Instead, we should see it as one of the greatest opportunities of our time to solve some of our most pressing developmental challenges.”
The ACT Pathway: Pioneering New Paths for Industrial Intelligence
Nicholas Ma, Huawei’s Corporate Vice President, President Global Government & Enterprise Key Account, pointed out: South Africa is currently in a critical “leapfrog to the AI Era”. Huawei has proposed the “ACT Path”: A is for “Assess high-value scenarios”; C is for “Calibrate AI models with high-quality vertical data”; T is for “Transform business operations with AI talent”. Currently, Huawei has initially identified high-value application scenarios in South Africa’s government, transportation, electricity, finance, and mining industries. With a focus on the “cloud, network, data” infrastructure, Huawei aims to create new value for the industry through AI-led innovation.
Leading South Africa into the Era of Intelligence, Together Shaping A New AI Era
At the Conference, Will Meng, CEO of Huawei South Africa, delivered a keynote speech. He pointed out: “Huawei has summarized a feasible path for intelligent transformation in the industry with its practical experience in digital and intelligent transformation. This path includes one shared digital foundation, connected data, and AI applied widely. Huawei will empower industries with technology and digital tools and work hand in hand with South African customers and partners to build a smart, efficient, open, and prosperous South Africa.”
Building 4-Win Model, and Work Together with Customers and Partners to Create New Value.
At the summit, Lucas Xia, Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Director of Enterprise Partner Development and Management Dept, shared the “4-Win” model. He stated, “Huawei will provide multi-dimensional support to empower partners to achieve business success. In addition, Huawei will promote the establishment of the ‘4-Win’ cooperation model, which includes ‘Customer + SI (System Integrator) + ISV (Independent Software Vendor)) + Huawei.’ Through multi-party collaboration, advancing industrial all intelligence for South Africa.”
Customers and Partners Shared Innovative Practices, Advancing Industrial All Intelligence for South Africa
Len De Villiers, CTIO of the Eskom Group, stated in his speech at the conference: ” The utility is building an AI-enabled intelligent grid, with 20 AI initiatives across eight business areas. These include predictive maintenance and a first-of-its-kind microgrid in Limpopo that has connected more than 700 households to reliable power. Eskom’s digital transformation is about building an intelligent, secure and inclusive energy platform that can power South Africa’s next era of growth.”
Khomotso Molabe, Standard Bank Group Personal and Private Banking CIO & Deputy Group CIO, stated during a summit that ” Standard Bank has moved beyond isolated AI pilots into large-scale deployment through its partnership with Huawei. The collaboration has consolidated infrastructure across ten African countries while delivering meaningful operating efficiencies. I believe that this can become an exemplary blueprint for all of you, whether you compete directly with us or whether you are in a different industry.”
Huawei has been deeply rooted in South Africa for 27 years, promoting the digital and intelligent transformation of various industries and accelerating the development of the digital economy through advanced ICT infrastructure, technological expertise, and the latest product and technology solutions. In the future, Huawei will continue to work hand in hand with customers and partners, understand industry needs, implement scenario-based solutions, build an open and thriving ecosystem, stay rooted in Africa, lead innovation, and jointly create a green and intelligent future.
