During the launch of the anticipated Infinix NOTE 40 series at Four Points by Sheraton, the State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization, Hon. Anite Evelyn revealed that Transsion Holdings’ subsidiaries; Tecno Mobile and Infinix Mobile will start manufacturing and assembling their mobile phones and other accessories including TVs, laptops, earphones, and smartwatches in Uganda.
“I am glad that you have bought your own land in this country to start manufacturing and assembling your mobile phones,” said Anite.
Although she didn’t mention the timeline for this exercise, Anite did reveal that the company has already acquired land in Nakifuma in Mukono district where it will construct its plant. She didn’t comment on whether the company plans to manufacture and assemble Itel devices. However, considering that it is a subsidiary of Transsion Holdings, there are chances that its devices will also be manufactured and assembled in Uganda.
Ethiopia is the only African country where Transsion Holdings manufactures and assembles its phones. The company has been doing so since 2011. The other countries outside Africa include China, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. After constructing the plant, Uganda will become the second African country where the company manufactures and assembles its phones and other accessories.
Anite asked the company to quickly construct the plant and create decent jobs for Ugandans — to enjoy incentives including the zero-rated tax on sub-duty or “any” other documents the company will provide. “If you finish with the construction of your plant, among the additional incentives you will get is you won’t incur tax on your sub-duty or “any” other documents.”
She on the other hand emphasized that the opportunity and the incentives aren’t only for foreign investors but Ugandas (local) as well. “Ugandans this deal is for you too,” she said.
Anite also noted that the plant will promote Buy Uganda – Build Uganda (BUBU).
Anite noted that when the company starts manufacturing and assembling its phones and accessories it will promote Buy Uganda-Build Uganda (BUBU). The State Minister also remarked that the government will help the company promote its products and encourage Ugandans to buy them.
“So you will have a readily available market and not only looking at the 40+ million Ugandan market but 350+ million East African markets — and to add we have an excellent relationship with the African Free Trade Zone of 1.4 billion people,” said Anite.
Once completed, Transsion Holdings will be the third company after SIMI Technologies, and MiOne to manufacture and assemble their devices in Uganda. Notably, MiOne only assembles devices.
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In May 2020, Uganda exported 18,000 mobile phones (made by SIMI) including feature and smartphones to Morocco. This became the first-ever international order for Ugandan-made mobile phones. The State Minister, Hon. Evelyn Anite flagged off the export pointing out that the government is taking great strides in tackling the import-export imbalance.
MiOne on the other hand, early this year launched its first-ever assembled smartphones; the Mione U1 and Mione Joy 9 in Uganda.
Ben Yu, Mione Brand Representative in Uganda told the press at the time “The launch of these smartphones is a big step towards supporting the government’s vision of empowering millions of Ugandans to embrace technology and digitalization.”
ICT Minister, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi appreciated the innovations being made by Mione and expressed his delight at the impact such milestones are making on the Ugandan digital growth picture by global standards — emphasizing the government’s eagerness to continue supporting such innovations.
MiOne is a Chinese mobile phone manufacturer based in Dubai. The phone parts/components are sent to Uganda and assembled at the company’s plant in Mbale City. The company not only assembles smartphones but feature phones as well — branded AB1, AB3, and AB6 models, and last year they sold over 500,000 units.
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