• Guinea explores local smartphone production, inspired by Kenya model

• Initiative aims to expand access and support digital sovereignty goals

• High costs, low adoption highlight challenges for local manufacturing

Guinea is looking to emulate Kenya’s model for local smartphone production as part of its push for digital sovereignty. The initiative aims to expand access to telecoms services as digital transformation accelerates.

On the sidelines of the Connected Africa Summit in Nairobi last week, Communications, Digital Economy and Innovation Minister Mourana Soumah held talks with his Kenyan counterpart on bilateral cooperation before visiting two major industrial facilities in the industry.

Expanding smartphone access

The delegation’s first stop was East Africa Device Assembly Kenya (EADAK), the country’s first smartphone assembly plant, with an estimated production capacity of three million units per year. Guinean officials said the facility shows how local manufacturing can make devices more accessible while creating jobs and supporting skills transfer. The delegation then visited Nia Fiber Factory, which specializes in fiber optic manufacturing.

For Conakry, these industrial models offer practical examples for implementing the Simandou 2040 Programme. The ministry said East Africa’s experience will feed into Pillar 3 of the programme, which focuses on developing robust and efficient national digital infrastructure.

Barriers to smartphone access

Guinea’s move comes as more African countries turn to local production of smartphones and other technology devices, seen as a way to reduce handset costs and support wider adoption of telecoms and digital services.

In a report published in December 2025, the GSMA said the median price of an entry-level smartphone in sub-Saharan Africa was $39 in 2024, equivalent to 26% of average income. That share rises to 64% for the poorest 40% of the population and 87% for the poorest 20%. It stands at 32% for women and 23% for men.

World Bank data show that 26.57% of Guineans aged 15 and over owned a smartphone in 2024. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimates internet penetration at 33.3%, while 82.2% of the population owned a mobile phone.

Challenges for local production

The project remains at an early stage, meaning its real impact on supply and pricing will only become clear once operations begin.

Local production also faces significant challenges. Kenya’s experience offers insight. A public-private partnership led to the launch of a low-cost smartphone assembly plant in October 2023. In January 2026, Kenyan authorities said five million devices had been assembled and sold at between 6,000 and 8,000 Kenyan shillings ($46.40 to $61.90).

Despite these relatively affordable prices, GSMA said adoption has remained limited. Consumers often perceive locally assembled smartphones as lower quality and less attractive than established international brands such as Infinix, Itel, Redmi and Vivo, which also compete in the entry-level segment.

The GSMA said these findings show that local assembly initiatives need strong brand-building strategies and consumer trust campaigns to compete effectively.

Isaac K. Kassouwi