Built for Africa
The Samsung Africa Forum 2012 is currently taking place in Cape Town at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the proceedings started with an address from KK Park the President and CEO of Samsung Africa was proud to confirm that Samsung was voted the most valuable electronics brand in Africa by Brand Africa.
Park went on to say: "We have an ambitious retail strategy to increase our market penetration in Africa: to increase Samsung's retail presence, with more branded shops, mobile plazas and service centres. Through this strategic approach, we will look to fast-track growth across the continent and today is yet another step in our approach to delivering innovation on the African continent – displayed through our key technologies and product portfolio."
Park went on to discuss Samsung's Vision for Africa that included the following key topics:
1. Built for Africa research and development:
Samsung believes in investing in developing technology that is specifically relevant to the African market - technology that meet the needs of the African people's local environment; to live lives that are easier, healthier, and more connected. In this way, inspiring the future of the African consumer electronics industry, and serves as a signpost towards how it will evolve in the future. Through our Hope for Youth program, we have taken part in activities such as The Samsung Engineering Academies for African students. Furthermore, for younger students, we are building solar-powered Internet schools that can bring advanced education technology to communities. In this way, Samsung inspires future generations of African youth.
2. Business to business and Business to Government partnerships:
To remain at the forefront of the information technology revolution and Africa is a hub for technological innovation and uptake given that in the last few years it has leap-frogged the age of fixed lines, and instead embraced the age of wireless communications. Samsung as a business is prepared to help African businesses and governments build the efficient and technology driven infrastructure that is necessary to succeed in coming years and of course understands the core of these business models in increasing efficiencies while providing solid technological opportunity. In this way, inspire communities with its latest IT technology.
3. Partner network growth and expansion:
Samsung cannot be strong in Africa without strong partners and therefore, we are deeply committed to growing the capacity of our dealers and distributors in Africa, currently, of which 800 partners are currently in this network. This means we will provide training and the correct tools for our sales channel as well as ensure that our actions guarantee the long-term growth of the Samsung brand in Africa. Furthermore, we have an ambitious retail strategy to increase our market penetration in Africa and to increase Samsung's retail presence, with more branded shops, mobile plazas and service centres. In this way, Samsung inspire a sustainable future for both its partners and itself.
Paulo Ferreira Head of Mobile Product & Business Solutions at Samsung South Africa gave an address discussing Samsung's latest wins internationally including reiterating how proud Samsung was on winning the Best Mobile Phone of the Year at the recently held Global Mobile Awards, for the Samsung Galaxy S2.
A wide variety of products and innovative solutions where on display with a number of key product launches being announced.
More in depth coverage of this event will come in the upcoming issue of Africa Telecoms.
