President Kagame Launches Mara Phones Factory in Rwanda

The Mara Phones manufacturing factory is the first of its kind in Rwanda and the African continent.

Rwanda on Monday launched Mara Phones manufacturing plant which will make ‘Made in Rwanda’ quality, affordable smartphones. 

The launch was officiated by President Paul Kagame on Monday.

The first ‘made in Rwanda’ phones rolled off the assembly line last week according to the presidency said.

Mara Phone is the first-ever manufactured smartphones in Africa. Mara X and Mara Z will use Google’s Android operating system and cost 175,750 Rwandan francs and 120,250 Rwandan francs respectively.

“Mara Phones strongly believes that Smartphone manufacturing will bring huge pride to the African continent being locally made in Africa,” the plant wrote on Twitter.

During the launch, President Kagame said, “Mara Group has shown that it shares our vision for Rwanda’s Development and it’s prepared to play a significant role in it.

We value that readiness and we will work to ensure that your investment is commercially successful.”

“After all, the private sector is the engine that we desire for our continent, we must aim to compete regionally and globally at the high end of the technology spectrum.”

The Mara Phones have been designed in partnership with Google as part of the Android One Program. 

“I am a firm believer that Africa’s time is now and Mara Phones seeks to illuminate this. It’s a true testament to our commitment to ensuring that as Africans we produce and consume our own products without compromising on global standards,” said Ashish J. Thakkar
chief executive Mara Phones.

David Indeje

David is a Kenyan Journalist with a depth of experience in business, agriculture, technology, democracy and governance. He is passionate about health, youth engagement, women and girls’ empowerment issues that resonate with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

See author's posts