Industry Thought Leadership

A Path to a Resilient Digital Ecosystem
There is an urgent need for a sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystem in the Middle East and Africa. During his keynote address at the 2025 SAMENA Council Leaders' Summit, Chen Qiong, CTO for the MEA region at ZTE, highlighted this crucial point. He stressed that the region is at a pivotal juncture, where collaboration will be key to fostering future growth and development. Chen's message was clear: the region stands at a crossroads, and collaboration is the key to moving forward.

With the right partnerships, technologies, and policy support, the MEA region can move from infrastructure build-out to ecosystem empowerment—and ZTE is positioning itself as a key enabler in that journey.

A Regional Vision Backed by Global Experience
Chen opened his address by highlighting a transformative initiative: ZTE’s intelligent 5G factory in Nanjing, China. With an investment of RMB 20 billion and an annual output exceeding RMB 50 billion, the factory demonstrates how 5G-driven connectivity can revolutionize industrial ecosystems. This model has been successfully replicated in 18 sectors, including steel, mining, and logistics.

Chen believes such digital industrial clusters offer MEA countries a replicable and scalable model to strengthen their own digital economies—fostering resilience, sustainability, and cross-sector collaboration.

MEA’s Growth: Ambition Meets Efficiency Challenges
While praising the MEA region’s rapid progress—particularly in 5G penetration, fixed broadband, and data center infrastructure—Chen also emphasized that, despite the region’s rapid infrastructure development, key efficiency challenges remain. Network utilization shows room for further optimization, and the average power usage effectiveness (PUE) in data centers currently ranges between 1.3 and 1.5. Achieving the sub-1.2 benchmark, often associated with next-generation AI-optimized facilities, will require targeted improvements. Addressing these gaps will be crucial to maximizing return on investment and unlocking the full potential of MEA’s digital infrastructure.

He cited Saudi Arabia as a case in point: while the digital economy contributes over 11% to GDP, it still trails the national target of 16%. Chen warned that such gaps could hinder ROI on digital infrastructure unless addressed through innovation, operational upgrades, and AI integration.

AI: The Soul of Future Networks
“Some people say AI is 6G,” Chen remarked—not as a prediction, but as a aspirational vision. If AI is to become the soul of future networks, then the foundation—the "muscle and bone"—must be laid now.
ZTE, he said, has already begun preparing for this future with its self-developed chipsets and its AI platform, Nebula. These technologies are designed to support the convergence of connectivity and intelligent computing in the MEA region.

From Connectivity to a Digital Society
ZTE’s regional strategy, Chen noted, is not limited to infrastructure deployment. The company advocates for a holistic expansion—from digital industry to digital life and society. This includes broadening service coverage from the ground to low and high altitudes, even into space, and extending digital services beyond humans to machines, vehicles, and embedded systems.

In areas such as e-government, smart cities, logistics, and digital finance, Chen cited China’s progress—driven by companies like ZTE—as evidence of what’s possible in the pre-6G era. These solutions, he suggested, can be localized to meet MEA’s specific needs.

Africa: Tackling the Digital Divide
Chen devoted a significant portion of his speech to Africa, where connectivity gaps remain severe. Internet penetration stands at just 38%, and data center capacity is under 5%, with two-thirds located in South Africa. Additionally, nearly half the population lacks electricity.

To address these gaps, ZTE is focusing on affordable and sustainable connectivity solutions. These include low-cost 4G smartphones, MiFi devices, education tablets, and cloud PCs. ZTE has also introduced rural site solutions powered by solar energy, with capital expenditure under $10,000 and zero operating cost—making them ideal for underserved communities.

While praising the MEA region’s rapid progress—particularly in 5G penetration, fixed broadband, and data center infrastructure—Chen also emphasized that, despite the region’s rapid infrastructure development, key efficiency challenges remain. Network utilization shows room for further optimization, and the average power usage effectiveness (PUE) in data centers currently ranges between 1.3 and 1.5.

By partnering with China’s clean energy providers and global cloud platforms, ZTE is aiming to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.

Enabling, Not Just Delivering
Chen emphasized that ZTE’s goal in MEA goes beyond supplying equipment—it aims to become a regional integrator and enabler. With a strategic focus on “leading in network connectivity and intelligent computing,” ZTE aims to support telecom operators and governments in their digital transformation journeys.

By embedding itself in local ecosystems, ZTE seeks to co-create value and contribute to the development of a vibrant MEA digital society.

Final Thought
Chen Qiong’s address was both a reflection of ZTE’s growing maturity in the MEA region and a strategic call to action. As regional governments and operators pursue ambitious digital agendas, ZTE is committed to building a resilient digital future requires collaboration, innovation, and long-term vision.

With the right partnerships, technologies, and policy support, the MEA region can move from infrastructure build-out to ecosystem empowerment—and ZTE is positioning itself as a key enabler in that journey.