MTN Zambia and Huawei have jointly launched the world’s first AI-powered adaptive power backup solution for emergency resilient networks, addressing the challenge of keeping communication services online amid unstable power supply. Introduced at AfricaCom 2025, the solution represents a major industry breakthrough that combines intelligent energy management with network autonomy to enhance resilience and sustainability in regions that frequently experience power outages.
Due to insufficient hydropower supply, Zambia has been facing a significant energy crisis since March 2024, with widespread and increasingly frequent load-shedding. This ongoing issue has disrupted daily life, hampered economic productivity and added immense pressure on households across the country. In some areas, Zambians are experiencing up to 20 hours of power outages daily, affecting businesses, education, communication and the broader economy. MTN Zambia has seen a significant decline in network quality and availability due to this crisis. While the network typically maintained over 99% availability during normal periods, persistent outages have caused this to drop to around 91%.
To address this challenge, Huawei worked together with MTN to co-develop an AI-driven energy resilience solution to keep sites online during prolonged power outages. Adaptive power backup enables co-ordination between the power system and wireless network. By analysing real-time service traffic and prioritising essential communications, it dynamically adjusts power usage and gradually suspends non-critical functions to ensure that vital services remain available. Once grid power is restored, services automatically resume without manual intervention.
The emergency resilient network solution has three major advantages:
- Simple deployment: The solution enables unified management of and intelligent collaboration among Huawei's RAN systems and power systems through a simple software upgrade.
- Cost saving: Prolong services duration without new lithium batteries, solar panels or DG expansion, the power system hardware costs can be saved significantly.
- Intelligent evolution: Based on digital power components and collaboration with wireless intelligent agents, it supports the intelligent evolution of network AN to the L4 level.
The solution was tested in an area most severely affected by power outages in Zambia. Results showed that even when daily power cuts exceeded six hours, site uptime could be extended by an additional three to six hours – without adding extra batteries or diesel generators. Overall, power-off resilience improved by more than 50%, while key KPIs such as call set-up success rate and data throughput remained stable. In districts such as Kafue, uninterrupted mobile connectivity enabled residents to seek medical assistance during emergencies like malaria outbreaks, proving that reliable communication can serve as a lifeline when electricity is unavailable.
Thomas Ngoma, Acting CTO of MTN Zambia, added: "We have successfully validated an AI-powered adaptive power backup solution in Zambia, developed with support from Huawei. This innovative solution dynamically optimises power consumption, significantly extending backup power duration during grid outages. The breakthrough will address Zambia's frequent power interruptions, offering enhanced energy resilience for communities and businesses. This achievement demonstrates how targeted technological applications can provide practical solutions to real-world infrastructure challenges."
Alex Xing, Vice-President of Huawei MTN Key Account Department, added: "Reliable connectivity should not be determined by the stability of the power grid. Through this joint innovation with MTN, we are exploring a new model for energy-resilient networks – where AI, intelligent power management and resilient infrastructure work together to keep services online. This is not only a technical achievement but a step towards more sustainable and robust digital networks. We will continue working with MTN to evolve and apply this solution wherever it creates value for customers, society and the industry."
Mad Chen, Vice-President of Huawei Southern Africa Region, added: "In the African region where reliable electricity is not always guaranteed, this innovative solution leverages AI to intelligently manage and optimise backup power, ensuring continuous and resilient network service during grid outages or emergencies. Huawei remains committed to empowering Africa’s digital infrastructure through open collaboration and cutting-edge technology. Together with MTN, we are confident that this solution will significantly enhance network availability, building a more resilient and sustainable network."
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