Kenya is establishing itself as a prominent player in Africa's expanding smartphone manufacturing sector, with over 2.5 million smartphones already produced domestically.

Speaking at the Smartphone for Africa Summit in Nairobi yesterday, Kenya ICT Authority CEO Stanley Kamanguya highlighted the country's successes in local smartphone assembly and its critical role in developing Africa's digital economy.

Kamanguya participated in a panel discussion titled 'State of Smartphone Penetration in Africa and Why Local Manufacturing is Important.'

The summit also featured discussions with major industry experts, such as Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, principal secretary for ICT, and Dr. Juma Mukhwana, principal secretary, State Dept. for Industry, Ministry of Trade and Industry.

They highlighted the broader impact of smartphones in increasing digital service usage throughout Africa's various industries.

Industry leaders have previously stated that producing smartphones locally may drastically reduce costs by lowering tariffs.

On that topic, Kamanguya emphasised that smartphones have become indispensable instruments for linking people to key services such as education, healthcare, and financial.

This digital transformation, he noted, is especially important for closing the gap in disadvantaged areas, particularly rural ones.

He stressed that Africa is well positioned to capitalize on its abundant natural resources to produce the basic components required for smartphone assembly, such as minerals used in batteries and CHIPS.

“Smartphones are an essential tool in driving the consumption of digital services across all sectors. The African continent has an opportunity to synergise the rich natural resources and elements necessary for manufacturing of various components used in the assembly of smartphones,” said Kamanguya.

The CEO of the ICT Authority of Kenya stressed that in order to realise this potential, African countries must collaborate to harmonise trade regulations, tariffs, and other policies, as envisioned in the African Union's Agenda 2063.

Kamanguya went on to highlight Kenya's commitment to creating a conducive investment environment in the ICT industry, saying recent regulatory improvements, such as the relaxation of equity participation regulations, have made the country an appealing location for tech companies seeking to invest and establish operations in Africa.

“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, and we are committed to ensuring the continent maximises its resources for the growth of the tech industry,” he said.

Tanui, on his part, stated that smartphones were crucial to achieve Kenya's Vision 2030 and moving forward with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda plan.

In addition, he expressed optimism about Kenya's chances as a hub in the lucrative semiconductors market.

"Kenya is now positioned to expand further with a CHIPS Act agreement with the United States, promising to enhance local semiconductor capabilities and fostering a new era of tech innovation and industrial growth," Tanui said.