Kenya has reached a major milestone in its technological development : since the end of 2023, the East Africa Device Assembly Kenya Limited (EADAK) factory has produced more than two million smartphones. The goal ? To democratise access to digital technology and stimulate the country's economy.

Local smartphone production was officially launched in November 2023 by Kenyan President William Ruto. The assembly plant was created on the initiative of the Kenyan state-owned telecommunications company Safaricom, in partnership with Jamii Telecommunications, a private Kenyan mobile operator, and Shenzhen teleOne Technology, a Chinese company.

This production quickly generated unprecedented interest. With prices starting at 7,500 shillings (USD 58), mobile phones have become more accessible to the population. In just a few months, almost 1.6 million Kenyans acquired a smartphone, considerably reducing the digital divide.

The smartphone, driving growth and autonomy 

Local assembly of smartphones does more than just make them more affordable. It also strengthens Kenya's technological autonomy, creates jobs and reduces the rate of imports. However, it raises a number of challenges, not least access to the internet and training people in the use of new technologies.

In January 2024, the internet penetration rate stood at 40.8% of the total population, with 32.93 million people not connected to the internet out of a population of 51 million. To ensure that the manufacture of mobile phones is not in vain, the Kenyan government must make efforts to improve internet access.

With the African smartphone market growing rapidly, Kenya plans to increase production to serve other sub-Saharan African countries.

Are you thinking of buying a smartphone made entirely in Kenya ? Tell us in the comments.

Source : AITN

Vanessa Ntoh