.. releases smartphone portfolio in Nigeria

By Prince Osuagwu

Nigerian mobile phone users will be the first in the African continent to use Lenovo’s seven new flagship smartphones, including the popular Vibe X model. This is considering that the country has one of the highest smartphone penetrations in the world, according to Lenovo.

File photo: refurbished phones

The company, last week opened shop in Nigeria, with the launch of its smartphone portfolio, saying that each of the smartphones in the portfolio was designed with specific customer needs in mind, since Nigerians are known to be trendy.

The portfolio, it said, offers  a range of carefully considered design innovations and functionality that fits every style, personality and need.

The range includes entry-level devices, such as the A369i, A516, A680, and A859; the stylish S650 and S930; and the picture perfect and sleek Vibe X. All Lenovo smartphones will come with a one year local warranty.

Announcing entry into the country, General Manager, Lenovo Africa, Mr Graham Braum, said that Lenovo smartphones launched in Nigeria will be available at all major retailers first week of March 2014.

According to him, “with more than 120 million mobile subscribers, Nigeria represents a strategic market for Lenovo’s smartphone business. Smartphones are fast becoming a primary platform for work, entertainment and social networking for consumers and we are thrilled to announce the launch of our exciting line-up today in Nigeria. Innovation is in Lenovo’s DNA; our team strives to deliver ground-breaking devices with distinct, elegant design. Today’s launch marks the first time customers in Nigeria can purchase Lenovo smartphones locally and we are excited to see the market’s reaction.”

Braum added that “smartphone penetration in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world. Our goal is to be one of the top five smartphone vendors in Nigeria in the very near future. We believe this a reality as our product range caters to a wide variety of individual needs and we have partnered with the best in the industry to help us achieve our goal.”

IDC had forecasted that smartphone shipment would be dominated by emerging markets as   worldwide smartphone shipments are expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2017.