Smart phones are very common in this part of the world where
people love to keep up with the trends. Major phone companies around the world
including Samsung and Nokia have already set tent in the region as a result of
the potential of the market. It is presently a battle between the traditional
western firms and the Chinese entrants who are willing to cut prices to a great
extent.
Rising Incomes
People are earning better wages compared to the case, 10
years ago. The middle class is rising as the number of East African
millionaires being created everyday increases. These super consumers demand the finer things of life including the best
makes of smart phones.
A manufacturer cannot afford to assume this segment of the
market judging by the rising incomes of citizens.
Quick adoption of new technology
East Africans usually adopt new technologies easily. This can
partly be attributed to the high literacy levels across the region. It is a
matter of fact that the educated segment of the East African region has been
increasing since these countries acquired independence almost 50 years ago.
Advertisements and increased marketing budgets of telecoms and manufacturers
Leading manufacturers have bloated marketing budgets. They are
constantly bombarding the East African population with messages about how smart
phones can make their lives better.
Huge billboards advertising different phone makes are
popular across the region. Strategic Television, Newspaper and Radio
advertising spots have been taken by telecoms and the leading manufacturers.
Global trends
The effect of global trends is undeniable. What is trending
in the west will definitely be popular in other regions of the world. The big
brands of USA are adored in places like Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The internet
has made the world to be a global village and subsequently resulted to
information shared across the world at the speed of light.
The moment a new I phone make is being launched; East Africans will already be informed of it
and those who have some money to spare will want to acquire it within the
shortest time possible.
Africa cannot separate itself from the modern day realities
of the world. Smart phones are presently the fad and within the next few years,
tablets will be the in thing. Both these kinds of mobile devices are presently
being owned by East Africans and they are stocked in many outlets across the
region.
Affordable Smartphone handsets
The hugest segment of most countries is made up of people
who earn modest incomes. East Africa is no exception. These are the people who
want to enjoy luxuries at highly affordable rates. So as to target this
segment, leading market players have manufactured smart phones that are retailing
for as low as $100 such as IDEOS Huawei
and Yolo. Firms from eastern countries
such as India and China have introduced products that are cheap and have all the
desired functionalities.
In east Africa, smart phones sell like hotcakes. Therefore,
they are very common. They can be obtained from outlets found in urban centers
and the countryside.
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