Huawei’s Strategic Moves in South Africa: From Football Partnerships to Cutting-Edge Technology
Huawei has been making significant strides in South Africa, not only through technological innovation but also by forging strategic partnerships across various sectors. From launching the world’s first tri-fold smartphone to partnering with Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Huawei is positioning itself as a leader in both technology and sports. Additionally, the company is driving digital transformation in the region with events like the Huawei East London Commercial Connect 2025 and Huawei South Africa IT Day 2025, while also unveiling a groundbreaking 1.5 MW supercharger for electric vehicles.
Huawei and Mamelodi Sundowns: A Game-Changing Partnership
Huawei has entered into a significant partnership with Mamelodi Sundowns FC, one of Africa’s most celebrated football teams. As the Official Mobile Partner, Huawei aims to enhance the club’s performance both on and off the pitch by leveraging its technological expertise. This collaboration includes the use of advanced tools and analytics to maintain a competitive edge, as well as enhancing fan engagement through state-of-the-art connectivity solutions and wearable devices for player training. The partnership aligns with Huawei’s vision of empowering success through technology and underscores its commitment to supporting South Africa’s iconic sporting institutions.
Peter Feng, CEO of Huawei South Africa Consumer Business Group, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “Partnering with Mamelodi Sundowns FC is an exciting milestone for Huawei. Their legacy of success and relentless pursuit of greatness perfectly aligns with our vision for innovation and excellence.” Similarly, Tlhophie Motsepe, Chairman of Mamelodi Sundowns, highlighted the potential for lasting impact, saying, “Great teams and great innovators thrive on pushing limits. We are thrilled to have Huawei partner with us in this journey of technology and sport.”
This partnership is part of a broader trend of technology companies engaging with sports teams in South Africa. For instance, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United have similar deals with OPPO and HONOR, respectively, indicating a growing intersection between technology and sports in the region.
Source: Mamelodi Sundowns Official Website, Source: farpost.co.za
Innovative Technology: Huawei’s Tri-Fold Smartphone and Supercharger
Huawei has launched the HUAWEI Mate XT, the world’s first tri-fold smartphone, in South Africa. Priced at R69,999, this device transforms from a sleek, pocket-sized phone into a full 10.2-inch tablet, offering versatility for work, play, and everything in between. The Mate XT features a 3K HUAWEI X-True™ Display and a multi-directional hinge built with ultra-high strength steel, ensuring durability and smooth movement. Alongside the Mate XT, Huawei also introduced the HUAWEI Mate X6, a dual OLED display foldable that sets a new benchmark for durability and performance.
In addition to smartphones, Huawei is making significant strides in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The company is set to unveil a 1.5 MW supercharger on April 22, capable of delivering 20 kWh per minute. This charger is aimed at heavy-duty trucks, with a goal to fully charge vehicles in under 30 minutes. This move positions Huawei alongside other industry leaders like BYD and Zeekr, who are also advancing EV charging technology.
Source: MyBroadband, Source: TechCentral, Source: CarNewsChina.com
Driving Digital Transformation in South Africa
Huawei’s commitment to digital transformation was evident at the Huawei East London Commercial Connect 2025 and Huawei South Africa IT Day 2025. The East London event brought together industry leaders, government representatives, and technology partners to explore intelligent solutions and the future of digital transformation in South Africa’s commercial and SME markets. Key discussions focused on the role of technology in sectors like education, healthcare, municipal governance, transportation, and artificial intelligence.
Gene Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei South Africa Enterprise Business, emphasized the company’s 25-year presence in South Africa and its efforts to support local businesses and government initiatives. Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, Director-General of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, reinforced the importance of digital transformation for economic growth and social progress.
At the Huawei South Africa IT Day 2025, the focus was on future-proof data storage solutions in the AI era. The event showcased Huawei’s all-flash data centers and virtualization full-stack data centers, designed to help enterprises stay ahead in a rapidly evolving IT landscape. Customer success stories highlighted how businesses are leveraging Huawei’s technologies to transform their operations.
Source: ITWeb, Source: The Mail & Guardian
Financial Performance and Future Outlook
Huawei’s 2024 Annual Report revealed that the company’s performance was in line with forecasts, generating CNY862.1 billion in revenue and CNY62.6 billion in net profits. The company invested CNY179.7 billion in R&D, accounting for 20.8% of its annual revenue. Sabrina Meng, Huawei’s Rotating Chairwoman, emphasized the company’s commitment to quality and its goal to continue honing this as a competitive edge in 2025.
Huawei’s focus on connectivity, computing, devices, cloud computing, digital power, and intelligent automotive solutions has positioned it for substantial growth. The company’s dedication to strengthening foundational ecosystems and fostering collaboration with ecosystem partners and developers is set to drive further innovation and industry development.
Key Takeaways
Huawei’s recent activities in South Africa highlight its multifaceted approach to innovation and growth. The partnership with Mamelodi Sundowns FC showcases Huawei’s commitment to sports and technology integration, while the launch of the HUAWEI Mate XT and the upcoming 1.5 MW supercharger demonstrate its leadership in cutting-edge technology. Events like the Huawei East London Commercial Connect 2025 and Huawei South Africa IT Day 2025 underscore the company’s role in driving digital transformation across various sectors. With a strong financial performance and a clear focus on quality and collaboration, Huawei is well-positioned to continue its impact in South Africa and beyond.
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