Let's breakdown what it takes to have "the cheapest smartphone in Africa, made in Kenya, Made In Kenya" really means.🧵PS. This is what I do for a living.
#ElectronicsManufacturing #MadeInKenya
#ElectronicsManufacturing #MadeInKenya
https://twitter.com/citizentvkenya/status/1590603266400088064
2. There are 4 key requirements to make this work.
- IP of Smartphone design
- Component supply
- Certified Manufacturing facility
- Trained Personnel
I will address the distribution channels as that exists.
Video is our SMT line producing a PCB panel with 600+ components
- IP of Smartphone design
- Component supply
- Certified Manufacturing facility
- Trained Personnel
I will address the distribution channels as that exists.
Video is our SMT line producing a PCB panel with 600+ components
3. IP Smartphone Design
It takes a long time to develop and certify a new smartphone design. Obviously this will not meet the stated timelines. Thus the fastest path to success is to license an existing $40 smartphone design from an ODM.
It takes a long time to develop and certify a new smartphone design. Obviously this will not meet the stated timelines. Thus the fastest path to success is to license an existing $40 smartphone design from an ODM.
3. Component supply chain
With the current turbulence in the supply chain, manufacturing such a high volume device will require hedging stock of the critical (and scarce) components to secure future orders.
With the current turbulence in the supply chain, manufacturing such a high volume device will require hedging stock of the critical (and scarce) components to secure future orders.
4. Manufacturing facility.
Setting a full and validated SMT facility takes a long. We did it, and it wasn't easy. When producing thousands of devices a day, even a 5%- 10% defect rate can be detrimental to the bottom line .
Thus I see a just simple assembly plant being set up.
Setting a full and validated SMT facility takes a long. We did it, and it wasn't easy. When producing thousands of devices a day, even a 5%- 10% defect rate can be detrimental to the bottom line .
Thus I see a just simple assembly plant being set up.
5. The most important determinant to success is human capital. Training engineers to fill these roles is possible, but it takes time . We have done this too.
But to do this with the state timelines means that we are likely to other people run this factories, not our folks.
But to do this with the state timelines means that we are likely to other people run this factories, not our folks.
7. For those interested in electronics manufacturing right here in Nairobi, come and pay us a visit at Gearbox Europlacer. @GEuroplacer
8. Here are examples of locally designed #IoT solutions that address local challenges, manufactured right here in Nairobi. Shout out to the entire hardware ecosystem including @GevitonLtd @casskenya @ecobodaa among many other partners. #MadeInKenya 
Our National Goal should not be about making phones, but about building long-term capacity in this growth-positive sector.
Kenya is on the verge of an #EmbeddedSystem #Hardware revolution. We can emulate India, Egypt, and Malaysia, but we need the right policies!
Kenya is on the verge of an #EmbeddedSystem #Hardware revolution. We can emulate India, Egypt, and Malaysia, but we need the right policies!
How long? Consider these two economies:
India's National Policy of Electronics est 2011 = In 5 years output tripled $4 Billion to $11 Billion in 2016
"Eygpt Makes Electronics" Policy - est 2015 = from $250 million/year to $2 billion /year now
Where does Kenya want to be?
India's National Policy of Electronics est 2011 = In 5 years output tripled $4 Billion to $11 Billion in 2016
"Eygpt Makes Electronics" Policy - est 2015 = from $250 million/year to $2 billion /year now
Where does Kenya want to be?
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