Chinese firm to manufacture phones in Nigeria by Q1 2018

• Unveils new smart device to mark anniversary
Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), operating in Nigeria as Partner Mobile, has informed of its readiness to start manufacturing mobile phones in the country.

The firm, which entered the Nigerian market a year ago, said all the logistics have been put in place to enable it commence the production of features phone from quarter one (Q1), 2018.

Speaking in Lagos, at the weekend, the Technical Partner, Partner Mobile, Shola Akintola, said the plant would be sited either in Abeokuta or Lagos, saying all the component parts of the phone would be manufactured in Nigeria. He however, identified the country’s erratic power supply as a major disincentive to investment.

Describing the performance of Partner Mobile brand in the Nigerian market for the past 12 months, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Partner Mobile, Simon Klepper, said the brand has been successful despite the challenging Nigerian economy, the decreasing value of the Naira and political change.

Klepper attributed the success of the brand to true commitment and perseverance shown by the company. He added that Partner Mobile in the coming years will deeply penetrate the Nigerian market and also establish itself as a reputable company in the country.

“Partner Mobile’s first year in the Nigerian market has got to be viewed as a success. The last year has been a challenging one for the whole of Nigeria with the current dwindling economy, the decreasing value of the Naira and political change.

“For any company to launch itself under such conditions, it has to show true commitment and perseverance, Partner Mobile has displayed these qualities,” Klepper said.

Also commenting on Partner Mobile’s penetration into the Nigerian market, the Marketing Manager, Partner Mobile, Ifeoluwa Akerele-Molokwu, said the brand name has been marketed to a large extent. According to Akerele, “Partner Mobile devices have been made to fit into every social and economic class.”

She said: “We have our gadgets currently in major stores across the country, and we are still working towards reaching more customers by partnering with other dealers.

“We have made available devices to fit into every social and economic class, and also putting into consideration the current economic situation. Better said, we’ve got a Partner for everyone.”

Akerele-Molokwu said within the last 12 months, Partner Mobile did gather some market share, stressing that over a million mobile phones was sold by the brand.

While speaking on the quantity of devices already released into the Nigerian market, Klepper said: “We released three android phones at the launch last year and quickly followed them up with a straight forward feature phone. The PF1 proved so popular that over the last three months we have released similar models of increasing specifications, the PF2, PF3, PF4 and a heavy duty PF-P1 with the capability of a power bank.

“Our mid-range Elite series E15 has just been replaced with the E16 and in the Prestige series, the PS1 has been joined by the PS-Power and PS2. Over the next couple of months we will have the PS1 + and PS1 Pro to complete the series.

“As we look forward to Nigeria re-establishing it’s previously impressive growing economy, phone and gadget lovers can be assured that Partner Mobile will bring to market ranges of phones to satisfy the needs and desires of its consumers.”

The COO further stressed that in an ever changing market where the needs and wants of the consumer take precedence, the company is committed to constantly evaluating and assessing the kinds of products to bring into the market that will solve the consumer’s need. He further explained that the consumer spending power is equally a factor that affects their decision making.

Klepper proposes that Partner Mobile in its fifth anniversary would be established throughout the African continent and equally trading in continents including Middle East, Europe, and the United States of America.