Huawei and the Southern African Railways Association (SARA) have launched the African Intelligent Rail Initiative (AIRI), a regional collaboration to accelerate the digital transformation of Southern Africa’s railway networks.
Huawei and SARA jointly launched the African Railway Intelligentization Initiative (AIRI)
The initiative was announced at the 15th SARA Rail Conference & Exhibition, held in Johannesburg from 20 to 22 October, where Huawei also introduced its Intelligent RAIL 2.0 solutions to the Southern African market and participated in discussions on railway modernisation, operational efficiency and regional connectivity.
The conference, which marked SARA’s 30th anniversary, brought together railway operators, government representatives and industry partners to explore investment, industrialisation and improved transport connectivity across Africa.
Coordinated by SARA, the AIRI will promote technical cooperation, knowledge-sharing and the adoption of intelligent technologies across regional railway networks. It will bring together railway operators, technology providers, engineering companies and research institutions to address common industry challenges.
Planned activities include developing an African Intelligent Rail White Paper and technical reference framework, a platform for sharing successful digitalisation projects, an annual best-practice recognition programme, and a joint working group.
The initiative comes as Southern African countries seek to improve the performance of regional freight and passenger networks, strengthen cross-border transport corridors and support trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Victor Guo, President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Enterprise Business, says, “Southern Africa’s railway challenges extend beyond physical infrastructure. Digital technologies and AI can help operators address these challenges, improve reliability and strengthen connectivity across the region.”
Victor Guo, President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Enterprise Business, delivered a keynote speech
Huawei also introduced Intelligent RAIL 2.0 to the Southern African market following its global launch at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin.
Developed jointly with industry partners, the portfolio comprises 20 scenario-based solutions covering railway construction, passenger and freight transport, and infrastructure and equipment maintenance.
The solutions combine digital connectivity, intelligent technologies, and industry applications to help railway operators improve operational visibility, identify maintenance needs earlier, strengthen safety monitoring, and coordinate freight and passenger services more effectively.
Raymond Zuo, President of Huawei’s Smart Rail Business Unit, says, “Our solutions are developed with industry partners to address the practical needs of railway operators. We will continue to work with SARA and railway operators across Southern Africa, sharing our technology and international experience to support safer, more efficient and better-connected rail networks.”
Raymond Zuo, President of Huawei’s Smart Rail Business Unit
Huawei’s conference engagements began with a technical tour at its Woodmead facility on 19 October, where representatives from regional railway operators, including Transnet, discussed applying digital technologies to freight efficiency, passenger services, and railway safety.
Panel Discussion “Modern rail systems: technology supporting operational efficiency”
During the main conference, Kevin Yang, President of the Government and Enterprise Domain at Huawei’s Data Communication Product Line, delivered a keynote presentation on the Stellar AI Railway Integrated Data Network Solution. He outlined developments in railway communications networks, cybersecurity and intelligent network operations and maintenance.
Huawei representatives also joined panel discussions on how technology can improve operational efficiency, maintenance, safety, and railway asset performance.
The launch of AIRI builds on Huawei and SARA’s existing collaboration and establishes a framework for closer engagement between railway operators and technology partners. The initiative is expected to support knowledge-sharing and the development of more connected, efficient and reliable railway systems across Southern Africa.
Huawei and SARA Signed the MOU at Berlin InnoTrans Rail Exhibition
Huawei and SARA renewed their memorandum of understanding at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, strengthening their collaboration on the digital modernisation of Southern Africa’s railway networks.