Huawei Joins Operators to Launch Northern Africa Digital Operation Transformation Pioneer Club 2.0 at Northern Africa OTF 2026
Huawei convened more than 100 representatives from governments, telecom operators and industry organizations at the Northern Africa Operations Transformation Forum (OTF) 2026, advancing dialogue around digital and intelligent transformation across the African telecom sector. Held under the theme “Unified Entry & All Intelligent Operations Ignite New Growth,” the forum served as a strategic platform to share best practices and outline the next phase of AI-driven evolution in the region.
A key milestone of the event was the joint launch of the “Northern Africa Digital Operation Transformation Pioneer Club 2.0,” marking a renewed commitment by Huawei and leading African operators to accelerate digital transformation and intelligent operations across the continent.
AI Reshaping the Telecom Value Chain
Lucas Lu, Vice President of Huawei Global Technical Service, opened the forum by emphasizing that as artificial intelligence becomes a pervasive core driver of industry change, telecom operators are entering a new era of intelligence. He noted that operators must redefine value creation, customer experience and business models through digital intelligent services and AI-enabled end-to-end operations.
Aaron Boasman, Vice President of TM Forum, highlighted that AI is transforming operators from traditional “traffic pipes” into intelligent digital platforms. Operators that integrate AI across network operations, customer care and mobile money ecosystems will be positioned to convert cost centers into profit engines and transform user entry points into broader ecosystem gateways.
E.B.O.I Framework for Africa’s AI/5G Era
Eric Yuan, President of Huawei Northern Africa Delivery & Service, outlined Huawei’s E.B.O.I-driven transformation framework - Entry, Business, Operations and Infrastructure - tailored for African markets. The solution is designed to help operators reshape business models in the AI and 5G era by enhancing network intelligence, improving user experience, innovating operations and maintenance models, and expanding digital life scenarios.
Through AI-enabled unified entry platforms and Super App ecosystems, Huawei aims to support operators in capturing new digital opportunities while strengthening long-term competitiveness.
Industry leaders shared regional insights into AI and digital transformation strategies. Yin Shaochun of China Unicom discussed AI-driven marketing and cloud transformation. Bruk Adhana, Chief Mobile Money Business Officer of Ethio Telecom, explored digital financial innovation, while Lassaad Ben Dhieb, Chairman and CEO of Tunisie Telecom Group, addressed growth opportunities linked to 5G infrastructure expansion.
AI as Strategic Imperative
During a high-level discussion moderated by Chris Meng, President of Huawei Northern Africa ICT Marketing & Solution Sales, telecom executives examined AI’s impact on network operations and maintenance. Participants agreed that AI is no longer merely an IT upgrade, but a strategic imperative for the telecom industry.
Operators are expected to begin with cost optimization and operational efficiency improvements, then advance toward data monetization models and ultimately evolve into ecosystem-centric platforms. By deploying AI Agents and building unified digital entry points, operators can create comprehensive intelligent service environments that enhance user engagement and expand revenue streams.
Launch of Pioneer Club 2.0
The official launch of the Northern Africa Digital Operation Transformation Pioneer Club 2.0 brought together senior Huawei executives and regional operator leaders, including representatives from Algérie Télécom, Moov Money Gabon, Tunisie Telecom Group and Ethio Telecom.
The initiative aims to consolidate industry best practices, foster collaboration among operator executives and technical experts, and accelerate intelligent transformation across Northern Africa’s telecom landscape.
Accelerating Growth Through Unified Intelligent Operations
In closing remarks, Jim Liu, President of Huawei Northern Africa Carrier Business, underscored that AI-driven unified entry platforms and end-to-end intelligent operations are no longer experimental concepts but operational necessities. He stressed that operators embracing intelligent transformation can unlock new growth engines, create differentiated value and drive sustainable digital progress across Africa.
Through OTF 2026 and the launch of Pioneer Club 2.0, Huawei reinforced its strategic role in supporting African telecom operators as they transition toward AI-powered ecosystems, redefining how connectivity, services and digital life converge in the next phase of industry evolution.