Chinese brand, Oppo has announced plans to invest Ksh 1.1 Billion (around USD$ 11.2 million) in a bid to capture the Kenyan market. The company is already in talks with local operators, smartphone dealers and distributors in Nairobi before it gradually moves to other major towns in the country.
Commenting on the new development, Mr. Wayne Zheng, Marketing Director , Oppo Kenya said;
“We do not do feature phones, only mid and high-end smartphones. This means that our main competitors are Apple, Samsung and LG. Our marketing strategy is to maximize awareness and build our young and trendy global brand image.”
Oppo looks to capture the Kenyan market with Ksh 1.1 Billion Investment
The company has already added a product page for Kenya on its global website with the following smartphones listed for sale in the country – the Oppo Neo 3, Oppo N3, Oppo R5, Oppo Neo 5 and Oppo Joy Plus.
The Oppo Neo 3 costs Ksh 13,990, the Oppo R5 costs Ksh 47,990, the Oppo N3 costs Ksh 59,990, however, there is no word on the pricing for the Oppo Neo 5 and the Oppo Joy Plus.
The company is also planning to enter other East African countries with Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda tipped. Oppo earlier this year also announced it was entering the Egyptian market.
Oppo will have to tough it out with the already established brands like Microsoft (and Nokia), Samsung, Huawei and HTC which has captured the market. Along with lesser known brands like Tecno, Infinix, iTel, Innjoo and more, which are also dominant in the Kenyan market.
