adminNoble Ncube, Business Reporter
CHINESE mobile telephone gadgets manufacturer-Tecno Mobile has officially entered the Zimbabwean market as part of an Africa expansion project that is targeting most countries in the Sadc region.
The manufacturer distributes its products in Zimbabwe through a local partner Solid Visions Technologies. Solid Visions Technologies business development manager Mr Tendai Chingondo said the Chinese phone manufacturer was a fast growing mobile phone brand and was now a household name in most African markets including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
“The brand is now making its way into southern Africa now and within the next few months all Sadc countries will be using this brand. It is a strong, quality and affordable phone that was specifically designed for us,” he said.
He said his organisation received the first consignment on 30 September and were engaged in the distribution of the feature and smart phones across the country.
“Since we have just received the consignment we are busy delivering it to the retailers. Tecno products will be available in all leading shops. Currently the product is available in Harare and Mutare. We will cover the whole country within the next few weeks and we are looking for retailers in Bulawayo. The devices (feature phones and mobile phones) can be bought at several retailers including First Pack, Innovative Technologies, iTech, and Appliance Expert,” he said.
The Chinese company is among those that manufacture budget handset.
“Cheapest feature phone T347 is $16 and smart phone Y3 retails at $76. The Africa focused brand has the most competitive price among all the original phone brands.”
Mr Chingondo said customers would benefit because all mobile phones would carry a 13-month warranty and after service support.
“All Tecno mobile phones carry a one year one month warranty. Our primary target market is the middle income earner who wants an original, decent, reliable phone at an affordable price. We are targeting to push as many as 500 000 devices (both smart and feature) within the next 12 months. We will bring in more models before the end of the month,” he said.
Solid Visions Technologies (Pvt) Ltd is an IT Distribution company based in Harare. It is the official distributor for Epson, Xerox, Nikon, Targus and Verbatim in Zimbabwe and was recently appointed the official distributor for Tecno mobile phones.
derick.khumalo