The Southern Africa Telecommunications Association (SATA) and international ICT solution provider Huawei have agreed to collaborate towards improving Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc's ICT sector.

SATA and Huawei signed partnership agreement to enhance information and communication technology (ICT) literacy and capability, as well as infrastructure development. The Association and IT firm also agreed to share technical know-how.

Though details on how the partnership will work remain cagey, Huawei said the partnership will help co-ordinate the development of ICT networks and services in support of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Yang Hongjie, marketing director of Huawei Eastern and Southern Africa said the partnership will create socio-economic development programs.

"Our vision is to facilitate the building of a prosperous information society for the SADC region. ICT development will drive tremendous transformation in different industries," Hongjie said.

SATA says the joint efforts with Huawei will help develop the social-economy in Africa by expediting the digital transformation.

"I appreciate the efforts that Huawei has been taking in ICT knowledge transfer, and happy to have Huawei as a strategic partner to shape the ICT future of SADC together. Huawei is solidifying efforts over the years with our partners on all fronts because we believe that ICT technologies are reshaping Africa and other parts of the world, and leading the next wave of sustainable social development," Jacob Munodawafa, executive secretary of SATA.

Meanwhile Cyril Xu, the public communications manager of Huawei Botswana said an ICT training program dubbed 'Seeds for the Future' will be initiated in the country before year end.