Tecno to open Nairobi assembly plant

Chinese device manufacturer Tecno is looking to set up an assembly plant in the country with an eye on the Sh17 billion government tender for the supply of the free computers to public schools.

The electronics maker, which has been finalising its education devices for the Kenyan market, is looking to set up a local factory for assembly of tablets to give it a competitive advantage over rivals.

Tecno will be going head-to-head with local universities which have lined up to supply the gadgets.

“We see the tremendous opportunity for education tenders in the African market including Kenya where there is the one child one laptop programme by the government,” said Steven Huang, general manager tablet business unit for Tecno.

“We have experience with assembling devices in the region and have lines already here. If the conditions mature, we are talking three to four months,” added Mr Huang.

Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich proposed a Sh17.58 billion allocation for deployment of ICT learning devices in schools in his budget speech.

The cash will also be spent on the development of digital content, building the capacity of teachers and rolling out computer laboratories across the country. The CS also suggested the replacement of the one laptop per child with education tablets.

The announcement by Information Secretary Fred Matiang’i of the partnership with local universities is aimed at ensuring sustainability of the project and adequate support and maintenance.

Mr Huang was speaking at the launch of the Tecno’s first 2-in-1 tablet cum laptop dubbed the Winpad. The device is a collaboration of the IT giants Microsoft and Intel, who are also slated to partner with a local University on the supply of the education tablets.

The ICT Principal Secretary Joseph Tiampati welcomed global firms to set up their manufacturing in the country.

“We will look at the opportunity for the education tender organised by the government and the schools. We also look at the consumer market where there is a lot of demand from the parents who want to buy laptops or tablets for kids but cannot find them on the open market. The parents can get them easily from our channels,” said Mr Huang.

Tecno wants to set up assembly plants in Kenya and Nigeria to add to their Ethiopian plants that have been putting together handsets since 2012.

They are counting on government support including possible tax incentives and training of an adequate labour force to work at the plant.