Welchman Keen and Samsung Form Strategic Partnership to Scale Digital Infrastructure for Remote Communities
- Feb 10
- 3 min read
Singapore, 10 February 2026 – Welchman Keen today announced a strategic partnership with Samsung New Zealand in support of the Economic Micro-Hub (EMH), Welchman Keen’s integrated platform for delivering sustainable and self-reliant digital infrastructure, services and economic opportunity in remote and underserved communities.
This partnership formalises Samsung New Zealand’s role as Welchman Keen's electronics and IT hardware partner within the EMH ecosystem, strengthening the operational foundation required to deliver reliable, community-owned digital access at scale.
The EMH as an Operating Model
The EMH platform is designed to solve a persistent issue in connectivity initiatives: fragmentation.
Rather than addressing access, skills, payment, and governance in isolation, Welchman Keen operates EMH as a coordinated system that aligns public and private partners across connectivity, software, hardware, training, online safety, and e-payment.
Samsung joins a growing EMH partner ecosystem that includes organisations such as CEO.com and Netsafe New Zealand, enabling Welchman Keen to create a cohesive and sustainable approach to digital development in remote areas.
Delivering Shared Digital Infrastructure that Communities Can Sustain
Under the partnership, each EMH will feature Samsung’s IT hardware, including tablets, screens and other necessary accessories and Knox security architecture essential to EMH sites. This shared digital infrastructure enables communities access to e-government services, education and skills development programmes, digital commerce platforms, and community services locally, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming travel to urban centres.
By anchoring access within communities themselves, EMH sites function as economic and administrative nodes that directly support regional trades, employment pathways, and digital participation.
Embedding Capability, Not Dependence
Hardware deployment is paired with the EMH’s Training of Trainers model, ensuring designated local partners are equipped to maintain and manage technology on the ground. This approach transfers operational capabilities to communities, reduces external dependency and protects EMH sites’ long-term functionality.
Building Financially Viable Digital Access
Samsung New Zealand’s participation supports foundational requirements for EMH deployment, strengthening the cost-recovery model and improving long-term sustainability.
Prentice Robb, Head of B2B, Samsung New Zealand, added:
"Samsung New Zealand is proud to partner with Welchman Keen to support the Economic Micro-Hub (EMH) initiative. We are committed to empowering remote and underserved communities with sustainable digital infrastructure. By providing Samsung's products and expertise, we are enabling access to essential services with the aim to drive economic growth, and building long-term digital resilience. This collaboration transforms digital access, connecting remote communities and bridging any digital divide."
The partnership further reinforces Welchman Keen’s strategy of building durable public-private collaborations as the backbone of its EMH platform.
Aaron Boyd, Managing Partner, Worldwide at Welchman Keen, said:
“This engagement goes well beyond brokering public-private partnerships. Samsung New Zealand is a key pillar in delivering the core infrastructure that makes Economic Micro-Hubs scalable, reliable, and economically sustainable. This is how digital access evolves from short-term intervention to long-term community asset.”
From Pilot to Expansion
The partnerships with Samsung New Zealand and other key partners are currently being implemented across pilot EMH sites in Vanuatu, building on Welchman Keen's ongoing work with the Department of Communication & Digital Transformation (DCDT). Plans are in place to extend deployments to additional developing markets as part of Welchman Keen’s broader EMH expansion roadmap.
Media and Partnership Enquiries:
Casey Le
Marketing Manager
Welchman Keen
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.
About Welchman Keen
Welchman Keen is a global technology advisory firm supporting governments and enterprises in developing markets to design, implement, and sustain secure, equitable connectivity.
As a Certified B Corporation™ in Singapore, Welchman Keen meets rigorous standards of accountability, transparency, and impact, using technology policy and platform design to unlock inclusive economic growth.
For more information, please visit our website www.welchmankeen.com.