Huawei asks dealers to tap online trading

Chinese phonemaker Huawei has challenged Kenyan dealers to take advantage of high-speed Internet connectivity to trade online.

Huawei Device Kenya country director Derrick Duh said statistics show a growing number of Kenyans were spending ample time online looking for various products and services.

“The Kenyan market today has changed as there are more players offering smartphones to both high and low-end customers. This has grown over the years due to high penetration rates making feature phones less popular,” he said.

Mr Duh spoke during the signing of a partnership deal with Jumia Kenya managing director Sam Chappatte that will see Huawei’s latest smartphones Mate 10 retailing at Sh79,999 and Mate 10 Pro at Sh89,999 exclusively sold on Jumia’s online platform for the next two weeks.

Huawei Technologies senior public affairs director Adam Lane said the Kenyan launch coincides with the global one where Huawei is introducing the world’s first smartphone with an artificial intelligence processor that enables the phone to adapt to one’s surroundings.

“The partnership with Jumia is a realisation of our diversification strategy to expand our reach via the Jumia platform where we intend to sell 2,000 gadgets annually.We shall also partner with mobile network operators, phone retailers, and distributors with an aim of selling more gadgets,” he said.

Mr Chappatte said the deal gave them a new impetus to grow their high-end clientele, adding it would boost confidence among buyers.

“The phone’s Kirin 970 processor that has an in-built neural processing unit enables it to analyse and adapt to its surroundings while offering you a fast and strong performance,” Mr Duh said.

The Huawei smartphone will later be made available to other phone shops at the end of the two-week promotion period.