As a key player in Africa's digital transformation, ZTE recognizes the region's immense market opportunities, driven by rapid urbanization, increasing mobile penetration, and the growing demand for reliable connectivity. However, challenges such as infrastructure gaps, affordability, and digital inclusion remain critical, necessitating futuristic technological advancements.
In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review Africa, Darren Zhao, President of the Middle East and Africa at ZTE Corporation, discussed the company's contributions to Africa's digital infrastructure and its advancements in technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence (AI).
As a key player in Africa's digital transformation, how does ZTE view the current market opportunities and challenges in this region? In 2024, ZTE launched the ‘Signal Reach Program’ in African countries. Could you elaborate on how this program contributes to advancing Africa's digital transformation?
Africa is undergoing a critical phase of digital transformation. The African market has immense potential, but it also faces challenges such as infrastructure gaps and the digital divide. Since entering the African market in 1997, ZTE has delivered communication services to over 400 million users and established strategic partnerships with operators in more than 50 countries. We provide innovative technologies and highly-customized, cost-effective solutions, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, empowering these regions to overcome geographical barriers, enhance their network connectivity, and foster digital inclusion. Our end-to-end, full-scenario intelligent computing solutions further address the diverse demands driven by Africa's urbanization and industrial digitization, driving the growth of the region's digital economy through technological advancements.
ZTE's ‘Signal Reach Program’ has been active in Africa for over a decade, aligned with the ultimate goal of "covering the uncovered, connecting the unconnected"—a vision that lies at the heart of accelerating the continent's digital transformation. Through relentless technological innovation, we have consistently rolled out innovative solutions. For example, in 2024, we deployed the Rural EcoSite base station in Liberia and initiated a 5G ultra-long-range maritime coverage project in South Africa, showcasing our expertise in delivering efficient and affordable connectivity for remote and specialized environments. Notably, at the recently concluded MWC Barcelona 2025, the Liberia project secured three awards from Ookla: Fastest Network, Best Network, and Best Coverage.
What new products and solutions did ZTE showcase in relation to the African market at MWC Barcelona 2025?
At MWC Barcelona 2025, ZTE participated under the theme ‘Catalyzing Intelligent Innovation,’ collaborating with industry partners to showcase the latest advancements in the deep integration of AI and connectivity. The exhibition highlighted a range of cutting-edge technologies and solutions, including intelligent network technologies, AI-driven solutions, edge computing, successful digital transformation case studies, green technologies, collaborative ecosystems, and innovative applications of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
At ZTE's ‘Ultra-Efficient Mobile Networks’ exhibition area, we showcased a range of new products and solutions tailored to the African market. For example, ZTE continues to lead the way in ultra-broadband radio (UBR) innovation, unveiling the industry's first time division duplex and frequency division duplex (TDD+FDD), dual-mode, massive MIMO AAU and a 400M OBW ultra-broadband active antenna unit (AAU). These advancements deliver ultra-simplified, highly efficient, and green site solutions. Additionally, the newly upgraded RuralPilot rural network solution, integrating solar power supply, low-power consumption technology, and modular rapid deployment designs, offers a more efficient pathway to bridge the urban-rural digital divide. This initiative accelerates the development of Africa's Connectivity-as-a-Service (CaaS) ecosystem.
At ZTE's ‘AI New Value & Intelligent Engine’ exhibition area, we showcased end-to-end intelligent computing solutions, liquid-cooled internet data centers (IDCs), intelligent computing servers, general-purpose computing servers, storage, high-speed switches, and an integrated training and inference unit compatible with DeepSeek's full version. These solutions are designed to flexibly meet the computing network construction needs of various scenarios in Africa, including large-scale data centers, edge data centers in remote areas, and integrated enterprise deployments, thereby enhancing the continent's digital capabilities. At the same time, ZTE introduced its integrated energy storage system, tailored to Africa's energy landscape. This solution combines the integration of renewable energy across multiple scenarios with intelligent energy scheduling, significantly improving energy efficiency and providing a stable energy foundation for Africa's digital development.
At ZTE's ‘AI for All’ exhibition area, we showcased a comprehensive portfolio of AI terminals, from smartphones, pads, and PCs to wearables, demonstrating how AI drives a smarter ecosystem. By expanding affordable AI access, we aim to empower African users to embrace the convenience and intelligence of cutting-edge digital innovations.
How does ZTE contribute to Africa's sustainable development? What are the key areas or initiatives planned for the future?
Leveraging its core technologies, ZTE has significantly enhanced Africa's digital capabilities in recent years through its four foundational pillars: networking, computing, terminals, and energy. By strengthening the application of networks, computing power, and intelligent digital platforms in sectors such as education, healthcare, and government services, ZTE has driven inclusive development across the continent.
For example, in Ethiopia, ZTE collaborated with a local hospital to implement remote diagnostics using Fiber-to-the-Room (FTTR) technology, greatly improving the efficiency of medical resource allocation. Additionally, in partnership with the Ministries in African countries (Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Education), ZTE developed customized government and education tablets tailored to local needs. In 2024 alone, nearly 200,000 units were shipped, providing robust support for national initiatives such as population censuses and the decentralization of educational resources.
Simultaneously, ZTE has worked closely with local operators and partners to accelerate the deployment of computing networks, digital platforms, and AI tools and solutions. This has elevated the entire network planning, deployment, and operation process to a higher level of digital intelligence, fostering the implementation of more innovative applications.
Since 2022, ZTE has participated in the construction of 10 data centers across eight African countries, including a supercomputing center in Tunisia and a data center for a government ministry in Algeria. These facilities have significantly enhanced local data and cloud service capabilities while playing a critical role in advancing regional digital sovereignty and data localization.
During the recent MWC Barcelona 2025, ZTE engaged in in-depth discussions with industry organizations, operators, and numerous partners, gaining deeper insights into the diverse needs of individual, enterprise, and government users in Africa.
Looking ahead, as AI technology continues to evolve rapidly, ZTE is committed to providing end-to-end, one-stop AI solutions that drive the fusion of AI and connectivity. By offering customized solutions and building the infrastructure for AI applications, ZTE aims to localize data production and circulation, transforming it into a true driver of AI innovation in Africa.
In terms of industrial empowerment, ZTE will strengthen its technical collaboration with operators and internet companies, leveraging “connectivity+computing power+AI”to create a robust digital foundation for Africa. This will accelerate intelligent innovation across industries and promote the sustainable development of Africa's digital economy.