https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231021/kenya-made-smartphones-to-reach-market-in-late-october-1062968370.html
Kenya-Made Smartphones to Reach Market in Late October
Kenya-Made Smartphones to Reach Market in Late October
Sputnik Africa
In May, Kenya's ICT Cabinet said that affordability of smart devices is a major barrier to digitalization, hence the need to make gadgets locally. 21.10.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-10-21T12:50+0200
2023-10-21T12:50+0200
2023-10-23T13:30+0200
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The first batch of government-backed smartphones made in Kenya will be launched on 30 October with a retail price of $40, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo told local media.The smartphones were originally scheduled to be released in August, but Owalo said in July that the government had just completed a feasibility study for the devices. At the time, the minister explained that Kenya is determined to making smartphones accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic status.The devices will be 4G enabled, allowing users to gain access to various government services such as e-citizen, e-health, e-education and e-commerce.Kenyan President William Ruto initially unveiled the production schedule last December as part of a larger initiative to transform the country's digital economy. Ruto then set an ambitious deadline to fulfill the promise of releasing low-cost smartphones between eight and 12 months this year.According to the Communications Authority of Kenya's latest report, the number of mobile subscribers in the country stood at 66.1 million and the number of mobile devices totaled 62.96 million as of March this year. Kenya has a population of more than 53 million people.
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kenya, east africa, william ruto, economy, technology, information and communication technology, development, digital technology
kenya, east africa, william ruto, economy, technology, information and communication technology, development, digital technology
Kenya-Made Smartphones to Reach Market in Late October
12:50 21.10.2023 (Updated: 13:30 23.10.2023) In May, Kenya's ICT Cabinet said that affordability of smart devices is a major barrier to digitalization, hence the need to make gadgets locally.
The first batch of government-backed smartphones made in Kenya will be launched on 30 October with a retail price of $40, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo told local media.
"Yes, the release date is 30 October, that’s all for now. We will release the rest of the details at the launch," Owalo told the outlet Business Daily Africa.
The smartphones
were originally scheduled to be released in August, but Owalo said in July that the government had just completed a feasibility study for the devices. At the time, the minister explained that Kenya is determined to making smartphones accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic status.
The assembly of mobile devices by a tripartite consortium of Chinese distributor Shenzhen TeleOne Technology, Safaricom and Jamii Telecommunications is part of the government's policy to boost digital inclusion and universal accessibility in the country.
The devices will be 4G enabled, allowing users to gain access to various government services such as e-citizen, e-health, e-education and e-commerce.
Kenyan President William Ruto initially unveiled the production schedule last December as part of a larger initiative to transform the country's digital economy. Ruto then set an ambitious deadline to fulfill the promise of releasing low-cost smartphones between eight and 12 months this year.
According to the Communications Authority of Kenya's latest
report, the number of mobile subscribers in the country stood at 66.1 million and the number of mobile devices totaled 62.96 million as of March this year. Kenya has a population of more than 53 million people.
