Page 41 - Abyssinia Busniess Network November 2019

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the platform in 2016 stood at 99 USD, 2G will have dropped to just 14% “This is the first smartphone
which reduced to 96 USD in 2017 and of the total connections. manufacturer in Africa,” Thakkar
95 USD in 2018 respectively. told Reuters after touring the
Rwanda’s Mara Group company alongside Rwanda’s
However, the rise of affordable entry- has recently launched two President Paul Kagame.
level devices from price-focused brands smartphones, describing them
remains a key driver of smartphone as the first “Made in Africa” Companies assemble smartphones
adoption in Africa. Among the top models and giving a boost to the in Egypt, Ethiopia, Algeria and
mobile brands on Jumia in 2018 country’s ambitions to become a South Africa, but import the
included Infinix (which has been thee regional technology hub. components, he said.
top brand for the last three years),
Samsung, Xiaomi, Tecno and Fero.
The Mara X and Mara Z will “We are actually the first who
Besides, while affordability of mobile use Google’s Android operating are doing manufacturing. We are
data in Africa is improving across the system and cost 175,750 making the motherboards, we are
board, the cost remains high, with the Rwandan francs ($190) and making the sub-boards during the
price of 1GB averaging around 8.76% 120,250 Rwandan francs ($130) entire process,” he said,and added,
relative to monthly income in 2017. respectively. “There are over 1,000 pieces per
phone.”
Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing They will compete with Samsung,
a high migration rate to mobile whose cheapest smartphone Thakkar said the plant had cost
broadband-capable connections, with costs 50,000 Rwandan francs $24 million and could make 1,200
5G connections expected to launch in ($54), and non-branded phones phones per day , and Mara Group
Africa in 2021. In 2018, 4G stood at 6%, at 35,000 Rwandan francs hopes to profit from the African
3G at 35%, while 2G dominated at 59%. ($37). Mara Group CEO Ashish Continental Free Trade Agreement,
By 2025, 5G will account for 3% of the Thakkar said it was targeting a pact aimed at forming a 55-nation
total connections, while 4G will rise to customers willing to pay more trade bloc, to boost sales across
24%. 3G will be dominant at 59%, and for quality. Africa.

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