Huawei Surpasses Global Connectivity Target, Links 170 Million People to Digital Services
Amb Philip Thigo Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology to the UN Flanked by Huawei Executives after the TechCARES session held on the sidelines of MWC 2026.
Barcelona, Spain, — Huawei has exceeded its global digital inclusion target, connecting more than 170 million people in remote and underserved communities across over 80 countries, surpassing its pledge under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Partner2Connect Digital Coalition.
The milestone was announced during the company’s TECH Cares Forum in Barcelona by Yang Chaobin, who said the achievement outstrips Huawei’s 2022 commitment to connect 120 million people by 2025.
Yang attributed the progress to strong collaboration with telecom operators and global partners, emphasizing the role of partnerships in expanding access to digital services. “This progress reflects the power of partnership and our shared commitment to ensuring that digital technology benefits everyone,” he said.
The forum brought together about 80 stakeholders from governments, industry, and international organizations to address the growing urgency of digital inclusion, particularly as artificial intelligence continues to reshape economies. Participants highlighted the risk of a widening digital divide without sustained investment in infrastructure and skills.
ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau Director, Cosmas Zavazava, commended Huawei’s efforts, noting that meaningful connectivity requires inclusive strategies, innovative models, and long-term investment in local capacity.
Huawei also underscored the importance of digital skills development in driving inclusion. Jeff Wang said the company is working with governments and institutions to expand digital literacy among youth, women, and marginalized groups. Since 2019, Huawei’s Skills on Wheels programme has trained over 130,000 people in 21 countries, supporting employment and entrepreneurship.
Industry players echoed the significance of connectivity in economic growth. MTN Group highlighted ongoing efforts to expand rural coverage, improve device affordability, and equip communities with digital and AI-ready skills.
Huawei’s progress has been supported by continued innovation in rural connectivity solutions, including the rollout of cost-effective network technologies designed for hard-to-reach areas. Its latest solution, RuralCow, aims to extend coverage to small communities, with deployments already underway in partnership with MTN Nigeria.
Delivering a keynote address, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Technology to the United Nations, Philip Thigo, warned that the digital divide could evolve into a deeper inequality in the age of artificial intelligence.
“Without deliberate action, the digital divide risks becoming an existential divide,” Thigo said, calling for universal access to digital intelligence as a fundamental right.
He outlined Kenya’s Digital Economy Agenda, which includes expanding fibre and satellite networks, rolling out 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots, and establishing digital hubs across all wards to drive inclusive growth.
Thigo also emphasized the need for robust Digital Public Infrastructure to support AI development, including access to computing power, shared data, and governance frameworks, warning that countries risk falling behind without coordinated investment.
Huawei’s DigiTruck initiative was cited as a model for last-mile digital training. In Kenya, the solar-powered mobile classroom has trained more than 10,000 youth across 40 counties, helping bridge the skills gap in underserved areas.
Participants at the forum agreed that closing the digital divide in the AI era will require sustained collaboration among governments, private sector players, and international organizations.
Huawei reaffirmed its commitment to advancing rural connectivity, strengthening partnerships, and expanding digital skills programmes as part of efforts to build a more inclusive global digital economy.
