Umhlanga Tech Connect: Huawei and PowerChina to transform Umhlanga into an AI-Driven Tech Hub
- Dylan Naidoo
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
By: Dylan Naidoo
KZN Top Business journalists attended the Umhlanga Hills Tech Expo on 27 March 2026, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven solutions and infrastructure developments. These developments will be handled by both Huawei and PowerChina, with a focus on job creation through AI driven initiatives. The project is headed by founder and managing director of Umhlanga Tech Connect, Frank Lin.
Lin discussed the importance of the right to participate in AI industries and advanced sectors, previously out of reach for young people. He commented, "What we are building is not just an infrastructure or pre-building but a platform for inclusion for dignity and for greater economic participation.” The Umhlanga Tech Connect will utilise an investment of over R25 billion to develop Umhlanga into a leading information and communications technology (ICT) and AI driven technology hub for the whole African continent. This venture is expected to directly contribute to one hundred thousand job opportunities, “empowering a new generation with access to the digital economy.”
Huawei outlined a theme of “from Silicon Valley to Umhlanga Hills” to reinforce the goal of developing the tech hub. These projects include:
● AI CC – An AI Contact Centre that will form the base of the hub. This will be a job
creation opportunity for the youth, as it is an employment hub utilising human and AI collaboration.
● AI DC – A “green” Ai Data Centre reusing energy for operations
● Smart Campus – This will form part of the connection layer
● An AI training house
● Cornubia Smart City – An Ii ready DC solution that will strengthen business development
● Smart Warehouse – The warehouse is estimated to be seven times the size of a conventional warehouse, and with the help of AI and automated equipment, will allow the warehouse to “operate efficiently and safely 24/7.” More employment opportunities will stem from this warehouse development.
Huawei recognises South Africa as a great country for these ventures, citing unique endowment, being part of a continent full of young talented minds, and the country’s proximity to the time zones of Europe, Asia and America to help with operations. Huawei also mentioned South Africa poses outsourcing opportunities for companies to utilise the services offered in the country.
PowerChina commented that through this project it is striving to solidify South Africa as a long-term partner. “This project represents more than just one structure, it is about enabling digital economy groups, supporting data driving industries and creating new opportunities and innovation.” PowerChina expressed a commitment to supporting local partners in employment, sub-contracting and skilled developments, citing that localisation provides long term values for the communities.
FNB Provincial Head, Asheen Magjee, explained that the launch demonstrates Durban’s ‘readiness’ for innovation, and allows the city to be a globally competitive player in the IT landscape.
eThekwini Municipality City Manager, Musa Mbhele, expressed his appreciation for the project, crediting Huawei as a partner in Durban’s economic recovery. As such, the partnership allows for Durban to ride the wave of digital transformation in services delivery. Mbhele proudly welcomed the development of the Umhlanga Hills Tech Connect project, showing interest in the project’s commitment to digital transformation through AI. He mentioned that due to the high technological literacy of young people, this project comes at the right time to combat unemployment in Durban.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa shared his comment on the project, citing the importance of this project in creating an investment hub in Durban and repositioning KZN as a digital hub for the economy.
