Intel has indicated it is eyeing over 500 million mobile users in Africa after launching YOLO, its low-cost smartphone for Africa.
The launch of the Android-powered YOLO (You Only Live Once) smartphone has been widely interpreted as establishing the US-based chipmaker as a serious contender in the African smartphone wars.
Aysegul Lindeniz, Intel’s general manager for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, said she has seen tremendous growth in the African continent with regard to innovation in the telecommunications industry, and that Intel’s first step in Nairobi would not prove a mistake
Intel intends to take its place in the growing telecommunications sector and aims to target the phone market across the continent. The company has also indicated its intention to launch the phone with different telecom partners across the continent.
She further noted that there is huge economic growth happening in Africa and that this presents a unique opportunity for the company. It is expected that the continent will host over one billion mobile phone subscribers by the year 2015.
She added that the new handset extends the benefits of Intel technology to more smartphone users around the world and that Intel believes that Kenyan consumers will welcome the increased functionality and overall value of the device.
“We look forward to our continued cooperation with Safaricom,” she said.
