Honor CEO Fred Zhou believes Africa can become a powerful force in global technology development — but only if collaboration, affordability, and access remain top priorities. Speaking during a panel discussion at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, Zhou highlighted the company’s tight relationships with network operators across the continent.
“As the original equipment manufacturer, the starting point for us is to produce the product, which can be the gateway for consumers to get access to the Internet and to the digital world,” Zhou said.
He explained that Honor relies heavily on its partnerships with network operators and retailers to expand access. “We use their channels through partners like Vodacom to get our products to flow to all the stores, providing easy access for consumers to get hands-on with our products,” he said.
Affordability remains a major consideration, but Zhou emphasised the importance of balancing price with quality. He argued that ultra-cheap smartphones — those priced between $40 (R680) and $50 (R850) — usually break within months and deliver a poor user experience.
“Then consumers have to change the battery, or the battery can’t last for long, and you have to charge all the time,” he said, noting that this forces people to sit next to a charging cable just to access the digital world. “In order to achieve our targets, it’s best to balance the price point and the affordability.”
The panel also featured Andisa Ntsubane, managing executive of brand, marketing, and communications at Vodacom Group. Ntsubane highlighted the continent’s deep digital divide.
He noted that 600 million people in Africa still do not have access to electricity, leaving them excluded from the digital economy. Additionally, only 37% of Africans have access to the Internet, a gap that presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
“We’ve got a huge chance to drive inclusivity and get more people connected,” he said.
Ntsubane outlined Vodacom’s threefold strategy for increasing digital access. First is the continued rollout of base stations and network sites across its eight markets — with 11,000 sites already deployed. Second is forming strategic partnerships to support rural coverage. Finally, Vodacom focuses on reducing costs and making connectivity more affordable.
The conversation reflected a shared belief: Africa is ready to shape the next era of global technology — but unlocking that potential depends on infrastructure, collaboration, and devices that balance price with performance.
