L-R: BONI OBIEZE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, RINGO COMMUNICATIONS, TAYSHIRA SANTAMARIA, EXECUTIVE HEAD OF MARKETING (GLOBAL), AG MOBILE, AND CRAIG HERR, SALES & PRODUCT MANAGER, AG MOBILE, DURING THE MEDIA LAUNCH OF AG MOBILE IN NIGERIA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015.
For the first time, ever, on February 3, 2016, mobile technology company, AG Mobile is launching in a new country without a retail partner. They are recognised as Africa’s first ODM (original design manufacturer), and before Nigeria, they’d established a strong presence in S. Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Anthony Goodman, who launched the brand in 2007, said, “this development forms part of the brand’s expansion strategy to provide more Africans with affordable, quality products while investing in markets that offer mutually beneficial opportunities.”
AG Mobile has placed Africa at the top of it’s priority list – they aren’t in any European markets. Of course, if your strategy is Afro-centric, then it makes perfect sense, to capture the most populous nation on the continent.
“While our initial marketing roll-out covers Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Kano, our reach is national. Our Android, feature-rich devices are available online via Jumia, from MTN and Ringo outlets, as well as independent dealers across the country.”, said Goodman.
With over 60 devices launched, since 2007, they definitely know what they’re doing. They use MediaTek chipsets in all their devices, pre-load social networking apps, and provide a one year warranty.
He continues, “We’re also completing the installation of our first retail space at the Ringo Arena in the Computer Village in Lagos and will be rolling-out similar outlets where customers can experiment with live devices before they purchase them. Any repair issues will be administered at an in-country repair centre.”
AG Mobile recognises that ODMs must have a strong after-sales support presence in whatever market they’re trying to break into. In the same vein, they have set up a dedicated call center (0700225574646), as well as a service center in Ikeja, Lagos.
For more information, please visit www.agmobileafrica.com/nigeria, their Twitter page: @AGMobileNigeria, and their Facebook: AG Mobile Nigeria.
