We need to prepare for ICT evolution after COVID-19, says expert

The key to progress after the COVID-19 pandemic is laying the foundation for constant ICT evolution, says Chen Lei, President of Huawei Southern Africa Region.

He acknowledged that ICT had been critical to fighting the pandemic and transforming society over the long term.

Lei said, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of this year, organisations across the planet began to shift into action.

But as critical as it was to react appropriately, it has also been important to proactively prepare for the next phase, he added.

While noting that Huawei was aware of the massive effect of the pandemic, as well as how seriously communities would be affected, Lei said the company is helping to lay the foundation for the next stage of society’s technological advancement – the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“During the pandemic, once Huawei had secured our people and our operations, we looked at how we could support our business partners on the African continent through our core competences in the ICT sector.

“We were fortunate to be able to assist with social distancing by African organisations through our technologies.

“The video conferencing systems we provided in some African countries enabled information sharing domestically and experience exchange internationally between epidemic prevention experts in China and Africa.

“Our remote videoconferencing systems have helped medical institutions communicate more efficiently. We have also implemented an AI-based diagnosis solution in several medical institutions,” he said.

Lei pointed out that a new business model was taking shape across sectors, one characterised by remote work, distance education, remote healthcare, online shopping and mobile money.

While positing that the ICT platforms are likely to provide the foundation of Africa’s future economy, he advised that the continent must continue honing and perfecting the ICT platforms, expanding their use even now, “so that once the lockdown ends, we can recover more quickly.“

“When the new dawn arrives – as it surely will –  let it find us well prepared to seize the day,” he urged.