Kenya is emerging as a key player in Africa’s growing smartphone manufacturing sector, having already produced over 2.5 million smartphones locally. This milestone highlights the country’s commitment to advancing the digital economy and fostering technological self-reliance across the continent.
At the Smartphone for Africa Summit in Nairobi, Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of Kenya’s ICT Authority, underscored the nation’s achievements in local smartphone assembly and their critical role in accelerating digital transformation.
Speaking during a panel discussion titled “State of Smartphone Penetration in Africa and Why Local Manufacturing is Important,” Kamanguya emphasized that smartphones have become indispensable tools for connecting people to vital services such as education, healthcare, and finance.
“Smartphones are an essential tool in driving the consumption of digital services across all sectors,” Kamanguya said. “The African continent has an opportunity to synergize its rich natural resources and elements necessary for the manufacturing of various components used in smartphone assembly.”
Leveraging Local Resources for Growth
Kamanguya highlighted Africa’s vast mineral wealth, including resources essential for producing batteries and semiconductors, as a unique advantage in the global smartphone industry. He urged African nations to harmonize trade regulations, tariffs, and policies to fully exploit this potential, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
In his address, Kamanguya also commended Kenya’s recent regulatory reforms, such as the relaxation of equity participation requirements, making the country an attractive destination for tech investments. “This is a pivotal moment for Africa to tap into its potential for smartphone manufacturing and digital innovation. Kenya is proud to be at the forefront of this movement,” he said.
A Broader Vision for Africa
The summit featured prominent industry voices, including Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, Principal Secretary for ICT, and Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary for Industry, discussed smartphones’ transformative impact on digital service uptake across industries.
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Tanui linked smartphone accessibility to achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals and its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. He expressed optimism about Kenya’s prospects in the global semiconductor market, citing a recent CHIPS Act agreement with the United States. “This partnership promises to enhance local semiconductor capabilities, fostering a new era of tech innovation and industrial growth,” he stated.
The Road Ahead
Industry leaders at the summit echoed the importance of reducing smartphone production costs through local manufacturing, which would lower tariffs and make devices more affordable. This approach is seen as crucial for increasing digital inclusion, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
As Kenya continues positioning itself as a hub for smartphone manufacturing, its vision aligns with a broader African strategy to harness natural resources and drive sustainable growth in the technology sector. With a focus on collaboration, innovation, and investment-friendly policies, Kenya is advancing its digital economy and shaping the future of Africa’s tech industry.
