• HONOR plans to expand smartphone production at Egypt factory
• Plant targets three million units annually, 1,000 jobs
• Move aims to boost exports, position Egypt as regional hub

Chinese smartphone maker HONOR plans to scale up production at its Egyptian factory, a move discussed during a meeting on Friday, April 17, between Communications and Information Technology Minister Raafat Hendy and a company delegation led by Ingmar Wang, HONOR’s head for Africa and the Middle East.

ICT Minister, HONOR Officials Discuss Expanding Smartphone Production in Egypthttps://t.co/MQaCA4QUWh pic.twitter.com/SGoAZrGfr9

— وزارة الاتصالات وتكنولوجيا المعلومات- مصر (@MCITEgypt) April 19, 2026

Talks focused on expanding capacity at HONOR’s smartphone plant in the 10th of Ramadan industrial city, built in partnership with local distributor Etisal Trading. The facility, HONOR’s first manufacturing site outside China, is aimed at meeting domestic demand while supporting exports to African and Middle Eastern markets.

The plant spans 8,000 square meters, including 5,000 dedicated to production. It features five production lines and two SMT lines. Currently in a testing phase, it is expected to be officially inaugurated before the end of 2026. With an annual capacity of three million units, the factory is projected to create around 1,000 direct jobs and includes a skills-transfer component for the local workforce.

The expansion is part of HONOR’s strategy to position Egypt as a regional hub for its operations across Africa and the Middle East. The company is relying on competitively priced, locally produced devices to meet domestic demand while expanding exports to neighboring markets under a “Made in Egypt” label.

The initiative comes as smartphone demand across Africa remains strong, driven by digitalization and rising demand for low-cost devices. Shipments of handsets priced below $100 jumped 38% year on year, while overall smartphone sales in Africa rose 7% in the second quarter of 2025 to 19.2 million units, according to Canalys, now part of Omdia.

Local manufacturing reduces logistics costs, bypasses certain import barriers, and brings supply closer to end markets. For Egypt, the project aligns with the “Egypt Makes Electronics” program, under which authorities offer incentives to develop the local electronics industry and boost job creation.

Samira Njoya