South Africa and Huawei Sign Strategic Agreement to Advance AI and Innovation

In a significant move to bolster scientific and technological collaboration, South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)  has signed a Letter of Intent with Chinese tech giant Huawei.  The agreement, penned during Minister Nzimande’s official visit to the People’s Republic of China, aims to forge a comprehensive partnership between the two entities.

The collaboration will primarily focus on information and communication technologies (ICT), with a specific emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI), research, and innovation.

Speaking before the signing ceremony, Minister Nzimande highlighted the broader implications of the agreement.

“The signing of this Letter of Intent further solidifies the long-standing relationship between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China. Most fundamentally, this Letter of Intent gives much needed impetus to the progressive agenda of building of a global political and economic order that promotes the equitable development of countries, particularly from the Global South and to contribute to the betterment of all humanity.”

– Minister Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, South Africa

The DSTI-Huawei Letter of Intent follows closely on the heels of a successful Belt and Road Ministerial Science and Technology Conference held in Chengdu, China. It also comes just days after a highly productive bilateral meeting between Minister Nzimande and China’s Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Yin Hejun, which included the signing of a separate Letter of Intent specifically focused on AI.