23 August 2019

Uganda is home to 22 million mobile phone subscribers, according to the country’s National Information Technology Authority (NITA)

Chinese electronics firm ENGO Holdings has begun construction of a mobile phone and laptop computer manufacturing and assembly plant in Uganda, with the first solutions expected to be rolled out before the end of the year.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Ugandan state minister for finance, investment and planning Evelyn Anite said some of the products to be manufactured and assembled at the plant will have self-charging solar units, making them suitable for rural areas.

“It is good news that for the first time we are not going to be importing computers from Europe, America, China and from all over the world because we will be buying them locally. It is very expensive to import these computers,” she said.

ENGO Holdings executive director Yu Qing said the company planned to invest US$15-million over five years and initially, the plant will produce 100,000 mobile phone devices per month.

The company’s flagship brand is Simi Mobile and both analogue and smartphones will be manufactured.

“The plant will rely on Chinese imported motherboards, screens, touch panels, batteries, cameras and speaker receivers and vibrators, as well as circuits for the domestic manufacture of phones until qualified Ugandan workers have been trained to undertake the commercial process from Uganda,” Qing said.

The country is home to 22 million mobile phone subscribers, according to Uganda’s National Information Technology Authority (NITA).