MTN Group and Huawei are collaborating to establish an Innovation Technology Lab at the MTN Group's headquarters in South Africa.

The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding, at the Mobile World Congress, held in Barcelona, Spain, this week, to strengthen their cooperation in technology development.

In a statement, MTN Group said the lab will act as a neutral platform for collaboration within Africa's digital ecosystem, accelerating the development, deployment, and adoption of digital solutions across the continent.

“Together, the two companies will leverage this initiative to focus their research and development efforts on key areas such as 5G and beyond, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cloud computing, and digital financial services,” noted the statement.

It added: “The partnership aims to accelerate the time-to-market of MTN's products and services while addressing the unique challenges faced in Africa, including improving network coverage in rural areas, enhancing energy efficiency, and affordability.”

MTN Group chief technology and information officer Mazen Mroue, commented: "We believe that collaboration is essential for developing solutions that truly meet the continent's needs, and this lab will pave the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for Africa."