If you’re trying to grow your tech startup in the local market, one thing that hits you early is the realisation that the Zimbabwean market is small and isn’t enough to capture any grandiose vision of growth.
It’s hardly surprising then that entrepreneurs look beyond our borders. The latest to do that is Gtel. The device distributor has inked a distribution deal in Kenya with mobile operator Safaricom.
Gtel will be offering 8 smartphones to the Kenyan market via 1-year contracts on the Safaricom network, something that the device distributor started to do locally with Telecel Zimbabwe sometime last year through its Khuluma 365 promotion. For Kenya, devices have been priced between US$21 and US$62, something in the same range as its Zimbabwean offerings.
Interestingly though, in its official communication for the launch, Gtel claims that it’s already in South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia, something that doesn’t seem to have happened with as much fanfare as the entry into the Kenyan market. Perhaps its presence there has been measured by significant distribution channels there.
The Kenyan market does offer a lot more opportunity because of greater smartphone penetration than the rest of Africa and a bigger appetite for mobile tech. This huge opportunity has also seen it attract other device manufacturers with notable brands like Huawei, Samsung and Windows firmly anchored in the east African country.
Other lesser known budget-focused brands like TECNO, Oppo and Obi have also made their way to Kenya already, so Gtel will be competing in an aggressive territory. The partnership with Safaricom goes a long way in Gtel’s strategy at entering the market though. As an operator, Safaricom is the largest in Kenya, with a presence similar to what Econet has here.
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24 comments
I love this slim phone and be happy to own one
Nice phone
The smartest phone for this digital Era…
This is where the digital Era has began…
slimmer is lovely
Coolest fone
I love the variety of colours,size, n its thikness..surely ”this is y”.
I reserve my comments till I hold one.
Soo slim can’t wait to have one.
When are they being launch in the market, it’s sound great. .
this phone looks soo classy how can i win it….???al be the namba 1 ambassador
this phone looks soo classy how can i win it….???al be the namba 1 ambassador
cant stop smiling from when i started using my A718 GTEL phone,can use to charg vmy friend phone………..its endless.
cant stop smiling from when i started using my A718 GTEL phone,can use to charg vmy friend phone………..its endless.
Whats the catch
wow…. i love this phone its very very classy..i need one Asap and i cant wait..
wow…. i love this phone its very very classy..i need one Asap..
i love love love love…its amazing.
where can i get one?
How do I get one of your phones?
Here is my contact (0721556639).
This is a breakthrough and i would like to be first one to use your phone.Please give guidance on how i can purchase one
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PHONE WORTH YOUR LIFESTYLE…THEN GET ONE FROM GTEL, IT’S WOW!…CAMERA, SLIM, INTERNET CONNECTION, I CANT SAY ALL THE FANTASIES THAT COME WITH THIS BRAND.
i luv ur phons but i have a problem i’m in cape town SA my gtel is broken we can i fix it
I am in Kenya and my screen is broken where can I fix it?