Shipments reached 3.59 million units in April, an increase of 1.8% from the same period last year.

The figures come from China’s state-linked research data on handset shipments. Total smartphone shipments in the country stood at 25.73 million units, up 2.8% year on year.

Growth is still present, but only just. April marks the weakest performance for foreign brands in months and sits well below the strength recorded in the first quarter.

In that quarter, foreign brands expanded at a far quicker pace. Apple alone shipped 13.1 million iPhones in China in the first three months of the year, up from 9.2 million a year earlier.

That represents growth of about 42%. The foreign-brand category also posted double-digit gains over the same period.

China’s overall smartphone market, however, did not follow the same direction. Total shipments fell 3.3% in the first quarter to around 69 million units. Domestic brands took the bulk of sales, while foreign players held a smaller share of the market.

Huawei moved back into the top position in China during the quarter for the first time in five years. Apple held second place. Both companies were responsible for much of the activity in the premium segment.

Huawei’s growth was supported by strong demand for its Mate 80 series and its foldable Pura X device. Apple also saw solid demand for its iPhone 17 range. At the same time, Xiaomi recorded a steep decline, with shipments falling by around 35%.

Outside China, Apple reached a major milestone in the same period. It became the world’s largest smartphone maker in the first quarter of 2026, taking a 21% global market share.

Samsung followed, also at 21%. The iPhone 17 series performed strongly, taking several top positions in global sales rankings.

Back in China, the April slowdown for foreign brands stands out. The 1.8% rise shows demand has cooled compared with the earlier surge.

The figures do not break down individual companies, but Apple is still the dominant foreign company in the market. Other brands such as Samsung and Sony account for the remainder of the category.

The environment helps explain some of the movement. High memory chip costs have affected pricing across the industry.

Apple has largely avoided major price increases, while several competitors adjusted prices upward. That shift appears to have pulled some demand forward into earlier months.

There is also a seasonal pattern. April often shows weaker growth in smartphone markets as consumers wait for later product cycles. I note that this period usually sits between early-year demand spikes and the build-up to new launches later in the year.

Market-wide data supports this slowdown. March shipments reached 21.15 million units, down 7.1% year on year but up strongly from February. Domestic brands accounted for the vast majority of sales during that period, leaving foreign brands with a stable but limited share.

Apple has been working to steady its position in China after a difficult 2024. The strong first quarter suggested a recovery was under way, driven by both replacement demand and interest in the latest iPhone models.

April complicates that picture. One month does not define a trend, but it does interrupt the pace seen earlier in the year. The next set of data will be important. May and June figures will show whether demand has simply paused or whether growth is levelling out.

There is also a comparison effect to consider. Late 2025 saw unusually strong foreign-brand shipments, which makes current year-on-year growth harder to sustain. That base effect is likely to influence the rest of 2026 reporting.

China’s smartphone market is stable but not expanding. Foreign brands are still growing, but at a far slower rate than earlier in the year. Apple is still a key driver in the premium segment, but the scale has clearly eased.

GhIPSS has appointed a Chief Technology and Information Officer, and an Advisor for Emerging Technologies, moves that point to a deliberate reboot of the organisation’s strategic direction.

Clara Arthur Takes the Helm

Clara B. Arthur was recently appointed the Chief Executive Officer of GhIPSS, bringing over 20 years of experience spanning banking, fintech, and national payment infrastructure.

Her appointment returns a familiar hand to the organisation: she previously served as General Manager for Projects and Business Development at GhIPSS from 2015 to 2019, where she led the implementation of key national payment initiatives, including GhIPSS Instant Pay, the gh-link domestic card scheme EMV migration, Ghana’s mobile money interoperability platform, and the expansion of the e-zwich agent network.

In the intervening years, Arthur worked as a digital financial services consultant with global development institutions, including CGAP and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), advising on payment market infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and remittance-linked inclusion strategies.

She has also been recognised among the Top 100 Women in Fintech in Africa. She holds an MSc in Finance and Administration from the University of West London and a BA in Law and History from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

A New Technology Chief from Telecoms

Stepping into the newly defined role of Chief Technology and Information Officer is Emmanuel Kwabena Owusu, an accomplished technology executive with more than 17 years of leadership experience across telecoms, digital infrastructure, and mission-critical platforms in West Africa.

Owusu arrives at GhIPSS with a track record built largely in the telecoms sector. He played a key role in the post-merger integration of the Airtel and Tigo networks, as well as strategic infrastructure-sharing arrangements that expanded coverage while optimising capital expenditure.

His leadership also supported the GOVNET project, which delivered secure connectivity to more than 960 government institutions across Ghana.

He previously served as a Governing Board Member of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), where he contributed to policy oversight, infrastructure governance, and digital inclusion initiatives.

His career has spanned senior roles at AirtelTigo, Tigo, Vodafone, Huawei, and Ericsson. In 2025, he was recognised by the Africa Tech Festival as one of the 12 most influential figures shaping Africa’s telecoms industry.

Owusu holds an MBA from the University of Suffolk (UK) and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from KNUST, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Kwadwo Ntim Repositioned as Emerging Technologies Advisor

In a notable structural move, Kwadwo Ntim, one of GhIPSS’s founding figures who joined the organisation in 2007 since its inception, has been repositioned as Advisor to the Chief Executive for Emergent Technologies.

Ntim’s institutional knowledge runs deep. He has been responsible for the setup of GhIPSS’s Information Technology organisation and operations functions, and was instrumental in the delivery of foundational national payment systems including e-zwich, the Automated Clearing House, the gh-link national domestic card scheme, GhIPSS Instant Pay, Mobile Money Interoperability, the National Universal QR Platform, and the GhanaPay Mobile Platform.

He brings nearly 30 years of systems design, development, deployment, project leadership, and Governance, Risk and Compliance experience, having worked previously with Masai Computers Limited (IBM Partners), KPMG, and Société Générale Bank.

In his advisory role, he is expected to guide GhIPSS’s positioning on next-generation technologies and future payment infrastructure.

A Platform for the Next Chapter

The appointments collectively signal that GhIPSS, which operates Ghana’s national switch, instant payment rails, interbank clearing, and card infrastructure, is girding for a more technologically assertive phase.

With a CEO who combines consultancy depth and operational GhIPSS heritage, a CTIO who has managed large-scale national digital infrastructure, and a seasoned technologist advising on what comes next, the institution appears to be assembling leadership suited to both consolidating existing platforms and navigating the next wave of financial technology.

GhIPSS is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ghana.

(Sources: GhIPSS Management Page)

New figures from Counterpoint Research showed Apple’s shipments grew 20% year-on-year between January and March. That was the strongest performance among the country’s major phone makers.

The overall Chinese smartphone market, however, fell 4% during the same period. High memory chip prices and supply chain pressure weighed on sales across the sector.

Huawei kept its lead in the market with a 20% share after posting 2% shipment growth. Apple followed closely with 19%.

Counterpoint senior analyst Ivan Lam said Apple stood out while rivals raised prices.

“As most rivals raise prices, Apple stands out for value, with Chinese consumers knowing its products last at least three years,” he said.

That view appears to be helping Apple hold demand in a market where buyers have become more careful with spending.

Huawei also benefited from strong demand across both premium and lower-priced devices. Lam said sales of models such as the Enjoy 90 series helped lift its numbers.

Several other brands lost ground.

Xiaomi’s shipments dropped 35%, pushing it down to sixth place. Lam linked the fall to a strong performance in the same period last year, when the company benefited from aggressive discounts and government subsidies.

Oppo and Honor also posted declines of 5% and 3% respectively.

Vivo was one of the few brands to grow, recording a 2% rise, helped by strong Lunar New Year sales.

With these, Counterpoint expects more pressure in the second quarter as Chinese brands keep raising prices.

Lam said Apple and Huawei may cope better than others, with Huawei likely to gain further support from demand for cheaper handsets.

A report by Nikkei Asia, citing sources familiar with the matter, said early test production has not gone as planned. According to the report, the issues could delay mass production and push back shipments by several months.

“It’s true that more issues than expected have emerged during the early test production phase, and additional time will be needed to resolve them and make necessary adjustments,” one source said.

The problems centre on two key challenges. Engineers are still working to improve hinge durability, an important part of any foldable device. They are also trying to achieve a crease-free display, a common issue with foldable screens.

These are not minor setbacks, as a weak hinge affects how long the phone lasts, while a visible crease changes how the screen feels in daily use. Apple appears to be taking more time rather than rushing a product that falls short of expectations.

The impact is already spreading beyond the company. Suppliers across Asia, including firms in South Korea, Japan and China, have been warned that component timelines may slip. These companies provide key parts such as OLED panels, hinges and specialised materials.

Apple had been expected to launch its first foldable iPhone alongside two upgraded non-folding models in the second half of 2026. That plan is now uncertain. If the current issues continue, the device could miss that window.

Competitors including Samsung, which leads the foldable market with its Galaxy Z series, holds a strong global share. Huawei and Oppo have also released foldable devices, although their reach is still limited in some regions.

Apple’s launch into the segment is widely seen as important. Foldable phones are still a small part of the smartphone market, but shipments grew last year. Even so, they are far behind traditional devices.

Pricing could also affect demand, with expectations placing Apple’s foldable iPhone at the premium end, likely above $1,500, it targets high-end users rather than the mass market.

For now, the company has not commented on the report.

New data from Counterpoint Research shows that demand is still weak across China. Government subsidies introduced in January have not done much to change that, making individuals hold back on spending, and phone makers are feeling it.

Apple, however, managed to push ahead, discounts on e-commerce platforms helped, and the base model of the iPhone 17 qualified for state subsidies. That combination made its devices more attractive at a time when buyers are prudent.

There is also the question of cost, with memory chip prices surging and putting pressure on manufacturers.

While others are reacting by raising prices, Apple is taking a different route. Its control over its supply chain gives it room to absorb some of the extra cost instead of passing it on to customers.

Counterpoint explained, “Apple is unlikely to follow suit, instead absorbing part of the margin pressure and using the situation to potentially expand its market share.”

Competitors are not in the same position. OPPO and vivo have already increased prices on some existing models this month. The adjustments are not just covering costs, but are also testing how much consumers are willing to pay before new devices arrive later in the year.

Meanwhile, Huawei is leaning on domestic suppliers who tend to charge less than international chipmakers, giving Huawei some breathing space.

That advantage could help it compete more aggressively, especially in the low- and mid-range segments.

The pressure is not going away soon. Memory costs are still high, and manufacturers are being forced to choose between protecting margins, keeping prices stable, or pushing shipments.

Hence, the Chinese market is expected to stay soft through March, April and May. There may be some lift in early June when the country’s “618” shopping festival begins.

That period usually brings heavy discounts and a spike in sales, although any rebound may be temporary.

As it stands, most brands are adjusting to a tougher market, while Apple is using the moment to hold its ground in the China smartphone market, and possibly take more share, while sales grow.

Ensuring system stability has remained a top priority for global power companies.

Stability is not their only concern, however; the drive toward carbon neutrality is accelerating the adoption of renewable energy and electrification.

Integrating large amounts of new energy sources and managing unpredictable new loads requires flexibility from power systems.

Jason Li, president of the Marketing & Solution Sales Dept of Huawei Electric Power Digitalization BU, explained that “In the past, we relied mostly on automation to address issues in power grids. In the future, however, power grids will transform from mere transmission systems into pivotal players in the energy transition. Digitalization and AI are shifting from optional upgrades to essential elements in core power generation. Together with automation, they form the key drivers for modernizing power grids.”

He added, “We believe that deeply integrating digital technologies into power scenarios and reshaping production and operations with telecommunications and AI will enable grids to achieve both ultimate stability and flexibility.”

Intelligent Electric Power Booth

The large-scale integration of distributed PV, energy storage, and charging piles into the grid, coupled with growing user interaction and potential load-side transactions, presents new challenges for maintaining the balance, stability, and security of distribution networks.

“The breakthrough for future power systems lies in the distribution network,” Jason noted. “And the key to addressing distribution challenges is transparency at the 400 V low-voltage level. To achieve this, Huawei and partners have jointly developed the intelligent distribution solution (IDS) for transparent low-voltage management.”

At Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Huawei will showcase its latest AI applications in power digitalization, including innovative solutions for intelligent power distribution, substations, and power plant inspections.

To explore successful digital transformation in the power sector, visit the Huawei booth at stand 1H50, Fira Gran Via Hall 1.

For decades, these communities have lived on the fringes of Nigeria’s digital map, disconnected from the tools and opportunities that urban centres take for granted.

That reality is now beginning to change.

In a groundbreaking move that promises to reshape the prospects of rural connectivity, MTN Nigeria and Huawei have completed the world’s first commercial deployment of RuralCow, an ultra-simple, rapid-deployment mobile base station designed specifically for rural settlements that have long been considered too remote or too costly to cover.

A New Chapter for Nigeria’s Unconnected Millions

With nearly 105 million Nigerians living in rural areas, the nation carries one of Africa’s largest connectivity gaps.

For years, operators struggled with the steep cost of building conventional base stations in places where power is unreliable, population clusters are dispersed, and expected revenue is modest.

In many villages with fewer than 3,000 residents, traditional telecom economics simply didn’t work.

The return on investment stretched into a decade. Heavy machinery couldn’t reach many terrains. Fibre lines were absent. And yet, demand for communication remained powerful and urgent.

RuralCow: A Simple Idea Transforming Hard Places

Determined to break this stalemate, Huawei engineered RuralCow, a compact, all-in-one mobile site that blends innovation with practicality.

The system fuses the baseband, radio, and transmission into one unit, drastically cutting equipment volume by 70% and slashing power consumption by 85%.

Even more transformative: it requires no fibre or microwave links, yet can transmit signals across 30 km, even in non-line-of-sight environments.

For the first time, operators can roll out coverage in remote communities without heavy machinery or prohibitive installation costs.

On the ground, the impact is immediate. Live deployments show that in rural areas with 1,000–3,000 residents, RuralCow reduces the ROI period from 5–10 years to about 3 years—unlocking a business case that was previously out of reach.

A Vision of Digital Equity

For MTN Nigeria, this milestone is more than another technology deployment—it is a declaration of intent.

“We believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life,” said Yahaya Ibrahim, chief technical officer of MTN Nigeria.

“Rapidly extending wireless coverage to remote rural areas and ensuring equal access to digital benefits is our shared mission.”

Huawei echoes this vision.

“As an industry leader in inclusive connectivity, Huawei is committed to narrowing the digital divide,”
said Fang Xiang, vice president, Huawei Wireless Network Product Line.

“RuralCow is a simple, green, cost-effective solution designed for rural areas. We will continue our innovation-driven mission of ‘Connecting the Unconnected’ toward a digitally inclusive world.”

Lighting Up the Last Mile

With RuralCow now live in Nigeria, remote communities once deemed “unreachable” are gaining access to mobile services that can power education, healthcare, commerce, and resilience.

For villagers who once walked kilometres searching for a single bar of signal, the sight of a new RuralCow mast rising above farmland is more than an engineering feat, it is a bridge to possibilities long delayed.

Now, the story of Nigeria’s digital future is being rewritten from the most unexpected places: the villages that were once disconnected are finally joining the conversation.

The company shipped 10.8 million iPhones in the third quarter of 2025, up 0.6% from a year earlier, securing a 15.8% share of the Chinese smartphone market.

In the overall market, however, total smartphone shipments in China fell by 0.6% year-on-year to 68.4 million units, though the decline was less steep than the 4% drop recorded in the second quarter. This reveals a gradual recovery in the world’s largest smartphone market.

Apple ranked second during the period, behind Vivo, which led with 11.8 million shipments, a 7.8% decline compared to last year. Huawei followed closely with 10.4 million units, down 1%, while Xiaomi shipped 10 million, a 1.7% drop. Again, Apple was the only brand among the top three to record any shipment growth.

Will Wong, senior Smartphone Analyst at IDC, attributed Apple’s resilience to the success of its latest model. “Apple’s value-for-money base model iPhone 17 successfully captured value-seeking customers, helping it to achieve slight growth and a higher ranking than the previous quarter,” he said.

The strong performance of the iPhone 17 base model shows Apple’s ability to appeal to both premium and budget-conscious consumers. In a price-sensitive market where buyers are cautious with spending, Apple’s strategy of offering a more affordable variant without compromising quality has paid off.

The launch of the iPhone Air in October, following regulatory approval for SIM support, is expected to provide an additional lift to Apple’s sales in the fourth quarter. Analysts also predict an overall improvement in China’s smartphone market, driven by the release of new flagship devices and renewed consumer demand.

Globally, smartphone shipments grew 2.6% year-on-year in the third quarter, supported by strong demand for foldable and AI-powered devices. Apple’s global shipments reached 58.6 million units, representing 18.2% of the worldwide market, bolstered by record iPhone 17 pre-orders.

Apple is steadily gaining back its ground in China, despite economic challenges and fierce competition, revealing the company’s ability to adapt its product strategy and maintain strong consumer loyalty in one of its most important markets, thereby improving smartphone shipment.

From fintech to agri-tech, lifestyle, entertainment to healthtech, compliance, AI, investor’s forum, the event is set to showcase how fintech is not limited to just the finance sector; it’s the orchestrator of how economies live, move, trade, and connect.

With the theme, “The Fintech Ecosystem Symphony: Orchestrating Nigeria’s Digital Future,” the event has attracted an impressive lineup of sponsors and partners, including FirstBank, Sumsub, Huawei, Mastercard, PAPSS, Zenith, Rwanda Finance, Network International, among others.

This united front signals outcomes bigger than a single organization. It means stronger credibility, deeper investments, and practical solutions designed to reach real people..

With many sponsors returning year after year, it’s clear that Nigeria Fintech Week has earned the trust of the digital ecosystem, while charting the path to sustainable economic growth and inclusion across Nigeria and Africa.

“Huawei has been a proud sponsor of Nigeria Fintech Week for some years now, because we see it as more than an event,” noted, Huawei spokesperson. “This year’s theme, ‘The Fintech Ecosystem Symphony: Orchestrating Nigeria’s Digital Future,’ resonates deeply with us, as we continue to invest in the technology that connects people, businesses, and opportunities.”

At NFW25, sponsors are not just getting brand visibility; they’ll be driving conversations, hosting product demos, and activating sessions around the industries they care about most.

With over 20,000 industry professionals expected to participate across Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu, the event promises an unparalleled hub for networking, deal-making, and knowledge exchange. Attendees will have the exclusive chance to engage directly with executives and decision-makers from these leading organizations at their activations and booths.

Registration for Nigeria Fintech Week 2025 is free. Secure your spot at nfw.fintechng.org to connect with the innovators and leaders orchestrating Africa’s digital future.

Huawei has been placed in the Leaders Quadrant, the only non–North American vendor to do so.

Huawei Data Storage continues to advance technological innovation, leveraging an AI-ready data platform, robust data resilience and efficiency, and advanced intelligent data management to comprehensively meet the diverse needs of enterprises in hybrid-cloud, AI, and critical business use cases.

Huawei’s Data Storage solutions are used in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide, serving clients in industries such as finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, healthcare, government, and public utilities across Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Storage Platforms, By Jeff Vogel, Julia Palmer, Chandra Mukhyala, Joseph Unsworth, 2 September 2025