Kenya’s smartphone revolution gets a boost from local assembly
By Aboki Forex —
Kenya is pushing to bring more people into the digital economy. One business leader is helping make that happen by assembling affordable smartphones locally.
Joshua Chepkwony is chairman of East Africa Device Assembly Kenya (EADAK). He is backing efforts to produce affordable smartphones in the country. This supports Kenya’s goal of expanding access to 4G and 5G services.
EADAK assembled 700,000 digital devices in the financial year ended March 2026. Vodacom Group, the parent company of Safaricom, disclosed the figures. The milestone shows how local manufacturing is becoming key to Kenya’s digital transformation.
Mobile operators are investing in faster broadband networks. Affordable smartphones are seen as the missing link. They will enable millions to access online education, digital banking, e-commerce and government services.
EADAK is a joint venture. It involves Jamii Telecommunications Limited (JTL), Safaricom and Chinese partner TeleOne. The company assembles smartphones and other devices locally. This reduces reliance on imports and makes internet-enabled devices cheaper.
The assembly plant can produce up to three million devices a year. It makes entry-level 4G smartphones that retail from about KSh7,499. The company also assembles educational tablets and biometric devices for financial service providers.
To improve affordability, customers can buy smartphones through financing plans. Payments are spread over several months. This reduces the upfront cost of owning a device.
Chepkwony said the project shows the growing role of partnerships between the private sector and government. He added: “This assembly plant will support government’s agenda to enhance digital inclusion in the country. We have been able to achieve affordability through a collaborative approach that comprises industry partnership and favourable government policies.”
Chepkwony is also the founder of Jamii Telecommunications.