Global ICT solutions firm Huawei has announced the appointment of Charlene Munilall as the general manager for the Huawei Consumer Business Group SA as of May 2015.

Huawei says Munilall brings to the position eight years of experience within the ICT industry.

A statement issued to the media by Huawei says, "This vision for the opportunities that technology can unlock is based on her personal convictions and backed by her experience working for multinational ICT brands across Africa. These positions include managing and directing sales for Nokia in sub-Sahara Africa, as well as variously heading Samsung's African telecommunications and product management teams."

Prior to her new appointment, Munilall served as sales director for Lenovo's Africa operations.

"...she has overseen strong growth of some of the world's leading brands in Africa's rapidly expanding, technology-hungry consumer market. This growth is being driven by unprecedented expansion of a middle class with disposable income that is feeding an appetite for technology solutions. As many as 97% of the continent's population are expected to have a mobile subscription by 2017, of which 30% will have a smartphone," says Huawei.

Munilall also believes there are too few women currently in the ICT industry, an issue that is front-of-mind for her in her new role.

"I believe there is a huge gap in the industry with the lack of women. There are far too few women currently, and I saw this as a great opportunity to grow and showcase my capabilities. There is a space for corporate companies to create programmes that will assist in the growth and career development of women within the technology space," she says.

"Women bring a different dimension to the workplace and are more detailed when it comes to planning and implementing within a business environment. There are lots of opportunities to fuse this with our male counterparts and create a better work and business environment that ensures growth."

Munilall has an accounting degree from the University of Durban Westville and background in accounting and financial management.

In April at the 12th Huawei Global Analyst Summit hosted in Shenzhen, China, Huawei executives confirmed that the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region was the second highest contributor to the company's overall revenue in 2014.