Kenya opens first assembly plant to make $50 smartphones
Kenya has taken a significant step towards increasing smartphone accessibility by inaugurating its first local smartphone assembly plant. East Africa Device Assembly Kenya Limited (EADAK) was officially unveiled on Monday, with President William Ruto presiding over the event.
This assembly plant is a collaborative effort involving local Mobile Network Operators, including Safaricom and Jamii Telecommunications, in partnership with the Chinese company Shenzhen TeleOne Technology. The smartphones produced at EADAK will be made available nationwide through Faiba shops, dealer stores, Safaricom shops, and the Masoko online platform. The devices are priced starting at KES 7,499 ($50).
This venture aligns with the Kenyan government's commitment to establishing local smartphone assembly capacity in the country. The factory has the capacity to manufacture up to 3 million mobile phone units annually, marking a significant stride towards enhancing smartphone accessibility and affordability for Kenyan consumers.
Key Takeaways
Despite the growing importance of connectivity in today's world, the digital divide continues to be a persistent issue, especially in Africa. In Sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 60% of the population does not use mobile internet, even though they reside in areas with network coverage. The primary obstacle to mobile internet adoption in the region is the affordability of smartphones. A report from the Alliance for Affordable Internet revealed that, by the end of 2019, mobile internet adoption in Africa was at only 26% of the population, leaving nearly 800 million people unconnected. This connectivity gap poses a significant challenge for keeping both individuals and businesses connected. While advanced technologies like 4G and 5G are rapidly gaining adoption in various parts of the world, the adoption rate in Sub-Saharan Africa has been slower due to the affordability challenges associated with smartphones. Bridging this divide is essential for the region's economic and social progress, underscoring the importance of Kenya's initiative.
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