Huawei strengthens foothold in Africa to offset US ban
- Huawei established itself across Africa since launching in Kenya in 1998, providing 4G networks to more than half of the continent
- Chinese tech giant signs agreement to reinforce its cooperation with the African Union
As the US leads a drive for the West to shun Huawei over security fears, the Chinese tech giant has sought to strengthen its position in Africa, where it is already well-established.
Huawei has taken a leading role in developing next-generation 5G mobile phone networks around the world.
But it has been in turmoil since Washington charged its equipment could serve as a Trojan horse for Chinese intelligence services.
The world’s second smartphone marker fiercely denies the allegations, but the US has urged countries to avoid it and several companies have distanced themselves.
They include Google, whose Android operating system runs most smartphones.
And as Washington and Beijing duke it out in an escalating trade war, nations around the world are faced with the dilemma of having to choose a side between the world’s two top economies.