The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) has confirmed Huawei as an ICT Sector Member.

The Chinese firm is among several representing Africa's ICT sector, including Sentech, Safaricom and BoFiNet, reinforcing the organisation's Africa-dominated status.

Twenty of the thirty six full member countries of the CTO are from Africa.

Shola Taylor, a Nigerian engineer currently serving as the CTO's secretary-general, says Huawei's membership will be mutually beneficial.

"It gives me great pleasure to welcome Huawei Technologies as one of our members. Members of the CTO greatly benefit from knowledge and experience sharing. Huawei's membership will help strengthen our organisation and its contribution to the use of ICTs for development across the Commonwealth," said Taylor.

According to the organisation, Huawei will be expected to contribute to global policy efforts in areas such as universal access, infrastructure and cybersecurity – issues that the CTO regularly addresses through forums and consultations.

Victor Zhang, President of Global Government Affairs at Huawei says the company's membership demonstrates its long-standing commitment to international capacity development.

"Huawei is very pleased to become an ICT Private Sector Member of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation. The CTO is a highly respected international body and it provides a strong platform for both the public and private sectors to exchange best practices related to the promotion and use of ICT innovation in the world today. Huawei is committed to driving the innovation of ICT industry and contributing to CTO's agenda by sharing its global vision and practice."

ICT sector membership of the CTO for a company that achieves turnover of more than £1 billion costs a minimum of £25,000 per year. The minimum annual membership fee for full member countries and affiliate member countries is also £25,000, although countries with a population of less than 100,000 people or a GDP of less than £650 million are permitted to pay a reduced fee equivalent to £6,250.

The CTO will hold its 57th Council Meeting of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Forum in Maputo in September. The event will be held in conjunction with the National Communications Institute of Mozambique (INCM).