Under the theme of 'Connection, Glory, Future', Huawei launched the sub-Saharan Africa finals of the Huawei Global ICT Competition via an online opening ceremony. The competition covers 14 countries and attracts over 50 000 students. The opening ceremony was attended by information and telecommunication technology (ICT) companies and students, alongside the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). During the event, Huawei Southern Africa VP Liao Yong said that 'the digital divide is actually widening under the new normal caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As people migrate more work and study online, the digitally disadvantaged people are hit harder.' Huawei launched this competition in the region five years ago, and since then, it was developed into one of the largest ICT skills competitions in Africa.