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One of Africa’s Largest Telecom Operators Sends Clear Message to the U.S. About Huawei: We’re Going to Use Them for 5G, Now Leave Us Alone

by Eric Olander

Michael Joseph, the acting CEO of Kenya’s Safaricom, one of Africa’s largest mobile operators, really could not have been more clear about his company decision as to whether or not it plans to use Huawei equipment in their upcoming 5G rollout. He confirmed that the company will be a major equipment supplier for the company’s new 5G network in Kenya but did not elaborate on what specific services and technologies the Chinese telecom giant will provide.

Joseph’s comments echo those of Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Joseph Mucheru, who bluntly pushed back against U.S. efforts to discourage African countries from using Huawei equipment. 

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