Samsung manufactures more products for Africa

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Samsung Electronics has continued to manufacture more products for the African market, with Nigeria as a major target.

The Chief Executive Officer, Samsung Electronics Africa, Mr. K.K. Park, who disclosed this during the 2013 Samsung Africa Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, said it was in tandem with the company’s Built for Africa Technology strategy.

Ranging from mobile phone to Information Technology solutions and digital products, Park explained that the products demonstrated the company’s commitment to Africa and its vision where technology enables consumers to discover a world of possibilities.

He said this became possible owing to the company’s understanding and insight of what consumers needed in the Africa region.

He said, “Relentless pursuit of new innovation is the key principle of our business and what is enabling consumers to discover a world of possibilities with technology. Africa is a dynamic region and consumers today are looking for technology that will enrich and empower them.

“Samsung’s key concern has been, and will continue to be: How do we develop the technology to resolve the continent’s challenges? How do we contribute to building a smarter Africa? The answer is Built For Africa technology.”

He recalled that Samsung, in 2010, introduced and actively started the Built For Africa initiative by bringing over 500 engineers, market researchers and research and development specialists around the world to travel throughout Africa to understand the needs and wants of the African consumer.

According to him, Samsung understood that convergence technology developments in one area can be applied across an eco-system of products – giving them an advantage.

“Three years later, it is very clear that Samsung’s presence in Africa is about bringing Samsung’s smart world to the continent – creating a smart eco-system for Africa – solution-based devices and value added content for life and lifestyle enhancement – and we have the most diverse product portfolio in the world of ICT to do exactly that,” he said.

“This year we have joined with key partners to not only enable a wider market the opportunity to afford premium devices, but to develop content and software solutions that are unique to Africa,” he added.

The Samsung boss said the technology company had organised the first Africa Smart Government Summit and inaugurated solutions such as  solar-powered generator and solar-powered health centre which are expected to make positive impacts across the contine

Samsung Africa, which inaugurated its solar-powered health centre model, said the solution marked the start of a large-scale medical initiative on the continent.

Park said, “The mobile centres are built for use in remote rural areas, and intended to eliminate the economic and geographic barriers that prevent people across Africa from obtaining quality medical treatment.

“The solar-powered health centre is designed to reach as many people as possible, as regularly as possible. Mounted on a truck and manned by qualified medical professionals, the centres will move from one area to the next providing a range of eye, ear, blood and dental medical services to the public.”