Huawei has launched Africa's first Innovation and Experience Centre in Johannesburg and signed an agreement of cooperation with South Africa's Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) with a view to extending ICT training and skills development opportunities to graduates.

Li Peng, Huawei President of the East and Southern Africa Region, said the Centre stems from the company's 10% investment of its global profit into research and development.

The Centre is expected to serve as a source of solutions and a channel for potential partnerships with Huawei.

"Huawei has invested more than 72 million rands (US$5 000 000) in this innovation centre in South Africa .... investment in ICT and innovation in South Africa and in other countries in Africa will increase. It is now widely accepted that investment in ICT infrastructure and services contributes to innovation and improvements in the quality of life. Connecting the unconnected is a huge problem that Africa is faced with, and no single solution or quick fix is available and as such it requires governments, telecoms operators, equipment vendors and others to work together. The top priority is to build digital infrastructure which will serve as a platform for digital innovation going forward."

Peng said the company understands the urgent need for African governments to develop ICT in order to support local talent.

Tian Xuejun, China's ambassador to South Africa, said President Xi Jinping's 2015 participation at the Forum on Africa China Cooperation laid the foundation for further cooperation with Africa towards common development. This development has resulted in the Innovation and Experience Centre.

"South Africa is actively promoting broadband roll out and China stands ready to share its experience with South Africa, and encourages competitive Chinese companies like Huawei to expand their investment and cooperation here so as to provide strong support for South Africa's social and economic development and achieve win-win outcomes."

Siyabonga Cwele, Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister, confirmed Huawei's commitment to train 1 000 South African students over the next five years in new technology, satellite navigation and cloud computing, among others..

"I am advised that Huawei has planned ten innovation centres around the world. This center in South Africa is the seventh on this programme, following launches in China, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Poland and Brazil. I am advised that this centre will create forty permanent jobs in addition to 1200 people already employed by Huawei in Africa. I am pleased to hear that we are also the first in Africa."