Chinese phone manufacturer launches 4G smart phone in Kenya

Chinese phone manufacturer Lenovo on Thursday launched the lowest-priced 4G smart phone in Kenyan market.

Lenovo East Africa Business Head Danish Oyugi told a media briefing in Nairobi that there is growing demand for smart phones as consumers are upgrading their features phones.

"We are trying to give Kenyans an opportunity to own high end phones that are affordable," Oyugi said. Lenovo have smart phones for as low as 50 U.S. dollars.

The Chinese multinational is banking on the rise in usage of the 4G technology and growing internet usage by the young generation to drive its smart phone business in Kenya.

Oyugi said they hope to capture at least ten percent market share of the smart phone market in the next six months through the use of innovative marketing strategies.

He added that his firm will concentrate on the 50 to 300 dollars price segment, which accounts for 50 percent of all smart phones sales.

Already the technology firm has presence in Tanzania and Ethiopia, with plans ready to spread into the larger East and Central African region.

The Lenovo Business Mobile Group Head of Operations for Middle East and Africa Sharay Shams said her firm has great optimism in the success of the mobile business in the East African region.

"Kenya is without doubt the gateway into East Africa, and we are keen on building on our success in the PC business as we get more Lenovo smart phones into the market," Shams said.

Lenovo is the number one PC maker globally and is currently among the top five smart phone vendors. In the Kenyan market, the firm is already working with telecommunication companies to get its smart phones across the country through selected vendors.

"Our selection of smart phones is designed to suit the various needs of consumers," she said. Endit