From just making calls, to taking pictures and light browsing, to engaging in e-commerce transactions to, recently, engaging in digital activism, the way Africans are engaging with their smartphones is fast evolving. This is happening against the backdrop of a surge in smartphone usage across the continent, according to three recent reports.
Three different reports show that the continent is witnessing a big shift to high speed, internet-powered mobile devices - that can take better photos and have huge storage capacities - driven by 'a growing demand for digital services and social media engagement'.
Kenya's Communications regulator showed in its January to March report that 628,818 feature phones stopped being used as smartphones grew by 886,884 in the same period. As of March 2024, active feature phones stood at 31.2 million, down from 31.8 million registered in December 2023. The number of smartphones in use increased from 33.6 million to 34.5 million during the same period.
"The shift from feature phones to affordable smartphones in African markets reflects a strong consumer push for modernization and improved connectivity, resulting in rising vendor-level activities in the entry-level segment," said Canalys Senior Consultant in Dubai, Manish Pravinkumar. Kenya has also lately gained attention in local and international media due to nationwide protests against a controversial finance bill that aimed to impose heavy taxes on its citizens.
These activities piled pressure on the Kenyan government and ultimately led to the complete withdrawal of the bill and a raft of other proposals including a review of government expenditures aimed at cutting down wage bill. By close of 2024, IDC expects Africa's smartphone market to see shipments increase 5.7% YoY, with a sustained upward trajectory for the next five years.
News Politics Economy Trade Business Sports Current Events Travel Africa Economy Business And Finance ICT And Telecom Technology
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Africa: The Rise of Africa's Gen Zs - From TikTok, X to the StreetsOn June 18, 2024, thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets to oppose proposed tax reforms, marking a significant shift in the landscape of youth activism and advocacy in Africa.
Read more »
ELO Digital Office Gold Sponsors Digital Finance Africa 2024Africa's Technology News Leader
Read more »
Kenya protests: Gen Z shows the power of digital activism - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports,Nationwide demonstrations have erupted in Kenya over a controversial tax bill, writes Job Mwaura
Read more »
FNO and ISPs Partner To Increase Connectivity To CommunitiesFrogfoot RISE: Fostering inclusion and digital participation within communities, through partnerships with local ISPs
Read more »
FNO and ISPs Partner To Increase Connectivity To CommunitiesFrogfoot RISE: Fostering inclusion and digital participation within communities, through partnerships with local ISPs
Read more »
South Africa: Mpox Cases Rise to 16, Death Toll Increase to ThreeThe Department of Health has confirmed that the country has recorded three more cases of Mpox and another death, as efforts to curb the spread of this infectious disease are ongoing in the affected communities.
Read more »