Traditionally, adoption of mobile technologies in Africa has been very strong. In fact, the continent is the second biggest market in the world when it comes to mobile and is also the fastest growing. Tablet computers have especially been very popular in recent years for not only their long battery life, but also the possibilities they present for key sectors such as education, health, banking, and entrepreneurship.
Says George Ferreira, VP and COO of Samsung Electronics Africa: "In fact, the continent is known for many of its innovations when it comes to mobile applications in these areas. One only needs to think of the mobile money solution M-Pesa and the impact it has had on banking to the unbanked, not only in Africa but globally. Africa, with its limited fixed-line connectivity and broadband limitations has learnt to use mobile to drive development to great effect."
Recent years have seen the landing of various undersea cables on the continent, bringing with them a virtually infinite amount of bandwidth and potential for further innovation in a largely untapped market. This is exciting for Africans and international investors alike. Adds Ferreira: "The development of mobile applications and the potential to harness the computing power of tablets for accessing information, transferring money, engaging with family and friends, and job creation cannot be overestimated."
However to be really effective, a tablet needs to combine a number of elements that ensure it meets the requirements of a number of sectors. Battery life and performance are two components. A lightweight form factor and crystal-clear display are others. Yet, the available applications and the ability to multi-task between them are vital to the user experience. Adds Ferreira: "Those manufacturers that are able to provide individuals with an experience tailored to their unique needs will be able to set themselves apart from their competitors. People want value-added content and hardware features that let them benefit from tele-medicine, mobile education, and so on."
There are many examples of how schools in rural communities are using tablets to help with literacy, provide access to the internet, and equip learners with the skills needed to make them employable for companies once they are ready to enter the job market. Africa, with its unreliable power supply, has an impact on how computer laboratories in schools and communities operate. Desktops are not viable solutions. Solar powered netbooks or tablets provide an ideal mix of performance and battery life with a great number of them being affordable enough for learning institutions to purchase.
"The manufacturers who understand the needs of the African market and how mobile technologies are used to empower people from all walks of life will be the ones who are the most successful. They need to understand the value of local partnerships and working with institutions to develop innovative solutions that harness the potential of the continent. The next few years will see significant changes in mobility in Africa and it will be an exciting one to be involved in as technology becomes available that can leverage all these opportunities more effectively than before," concludes Ferreira.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2011 consolidated sales of US$143.1 billion. Employing approximately 206,000 people in 197 offices across 72 countries, the company operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LED. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world's most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.