MTN and Huawei have signed a business innovation memorandum of understanding (MOU), committing to bring more digital services to African businesses and consumers.

In a joint statement, the companies say the signing of the MOU is an important part of their strategic working partnership, which spans 17 years.

In terms of the memorandum, both parties have agreed to expand active data growth, rich media services, mobile financial services, enterprise and wholesale businesses from the traditional voice and data service cooperation.

Furthermore, the agreement looks to extend cooperation in strategic research, business scenario design, joint product development and joint go-to-market solutions.

According to Li Dafeng, Huawei president of the Middle East and Africa region, in the past, the companies' working relationship was focused on building networks to serve end-users as well as business requirements.

Dafeng says the MOU will help MTN build differentiated competitiveness and leadership in its target markets. "The signing of the joint business innovation memorandum with MTN will strengthen strategic cooperation between the two parties in the future."

MTN Group COO Jens Schulte-Bockum adds: "To further eliminate the digital divide in [Africa and Middle East] countries, improve people's lives, and achieve the vision of Digital MTN, MTN is willing to work with Huawei to bring benefits to the public and society.

"MTN attaches great importance to cyber security, which is a global technical challenge. MTN will work with global partners to solve this problem and provide sustainable, stable and reliable digital services for the public and society."

China's Huawei is the world's biggest producer of telecoms equipment and ranks second in global smartphone sales, behind South Korea's Samsung and ahead of the US's Apple. Huawei is also poised to lead the world in 5G technology, although it has found itself in the crosshairs of a US-China trade war.