Kenyan made Smartphones Set to Hit Market

The Kenyan government has lived up to its promise to avail locally manufactured smartphones in the market. Earlier in the year, President Ruto stated the government would collaborate with the private sector to roll out 1 million made-in-Kenya smartphones.

The promise was the cheaper phones would retail at just $40 (approximately KES 6000 at the current exchange rate).

In a speech at the ongoing US–Africa roundtable, President Ruto surprised Kenyans with the statement that the manufacturing plant had started production.

“And just for your information, the factory is up and the first 20,000 units are out”: stated the President.

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In what is a major breakthrough for Kenya, Techweez can confirm that the assembly plant is up and running. The smartphone factory is located within the Konza Technopolis in Malili, Machakos County.

Made-In-Kenya Smartphones In Testing Phase
A consortium of 3 companies was put together by the government. The companies are Chinese mobile device dealers Shenzhen TeleOne Technology, Safaricom, and Jamii Telecommunications.

A Techweez source from the consortium says made-in-Kenya phones are currently in the testing phase. Therefore, Kenyans should expect to full production of the phones in October.

Notably, Shenzhen TeleOne Technology is not new to cheap smartphone production. The company is the manufacturer of low-cost Neon phones. The phones are currently sold to Kenyans via an ongoing partnership with Safaricom.

Definitely, the made-in-Kenya low-cost smartphones will be a game changer. President Ruto was keen to add that affordable smartphones are set to enhance digital access and inclusion in Kenya.

In terms of the hardware tech scene in Kenya, this is another milestone after the export of Kenyan Made Raspberry Pi Pico Boards.

—Source Techweez