EU High-Risk Tech Phase-Out Plan Draws Huawei Criticism

Tuesday 20th January 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

EU high-risk tech phase-out plans moved forward on Tuesday after Brussels released a draft proposal to remove components and equipment from “high-risk” suppliers in critical sectors, prompting criticism from China’s Huawei, which is expected to be among the firms affected. The EU high-risk tech phase-out debate matters for Africa because many mobile networks rely on global supply chains shaped by European standards, financing rules, and security expectations.

Reuters reported that the proposal targets critical sectors and outlines a phased approach to reducing reliance on suppliers deemed high risk. Huawei criticised the plan, arguing it lacks a clear definition of “high-risk” and warning of potential costs for customers and market competition. The European Commission’s draft marks another step in a broader global shift toward tighter screening of technology used in sensitive infrastructure.

For African telecom operators, the immediate relevance is indirect but practical. European policies often influence the compliance frameworks used by multinational corporates, development financiers, and equipment insurers. When a major market shifts supplier risk rules, it can affect procurement due diligence, vendor diversification strategies, and long-term network upgrade planning across regions.

The issue is also tied to financing. Telecom expansion in Africa often blends commercial debt, vendor financing, and, in some cases, development-linked capital. If financing partners align with EU-style “high-risk” definitions, operators may face stricter screening even when they operate outside Europe. That can increase documentation requirements and extend procurement timelines, especially for 4G and 5G rollouts.

At the same time, African regulators and operators have their own priorities. These include affordability, coverage, and service reliability. Vendor choices often reflect total cost of ownership, maintenance support, and supply capacity. A more fragmented global vendor landscape can raise costs and complicate spares, training, and interoperability, especially in multi-vendor networks.

Huawei remains a significant supplier across many African markets. Reuters’ report did not quantify Africa-specific exposure, but it placed Huawei among the companies likely to be affected by the EU approach, which is designed for European critical infrastructure.

EU high-risk tech phase-out and Africa’s digital build

The policy debate intersects with Africa’s push for stronger digital infrastructure. Governments want wider broadband access. Firms need resilient networks for payments, logistics, and public services. Any global shift that changes equipment availability or financing terms can affect timelines for coverage expansion and the cost of connectivity.

Next steps

EU high-risk tech phase-out proposals will move through European legislative and policy processes, with industry and member states expected to weigh in on definitions, timelines, and sector scope. African operators and regulators are likely to monitor how financiers and multinational partners interpret the plan in procurement standards and risk frameworks.

Why it matters

EU high-risk tech phase-out decisions matter because they can reshape technology supply chains and compliance expectations beyond Europe. For Africa, that can affect network rollout costs, vendor strategies, and the pace at which digital infrastructure expands to support trade, services, and public administration.