Airtel Uganda has partnered with ZTE Corporation, a Chinese telecommunication company to enhance digital inclusion but also boost smartphone penetration across the country.
The 2024 Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Market Report for June indicated that Uganda’s internet use is increasing as 16.7 million users own smartphones.
This shows that more Ugandans will continue to actively seek access to smartphones and are interested in using the internet for both business and personal use.
Speaking during the partnership, Ali Balunywa, Airtel Uganda’s director for sales and distribution said they are committed to offering the market a seamless internet experience coupled with innovation and customer satisfaction.
“Our continuous collaboration with industry players is to ensure that our customers enjoy products and services that they can leverage to develop themselves. A smartphone and good internet connection in this era can offer endless opportunities such as starting online businesses, studying, research, entertainment, among others,” Balunywa said.
“The youth today are heavy users of the internet, there for, offering avenues for affordable smartphones such as this partnership also opens access for those with limited funds to opportunities that they can use to generate sustainable income.
Officials said Airtel customers who purchase the ZTE Nubia smartphone will enjoy a 15GB data offer valid for three months and discounted data plans for ZTE Nubia users who will pay through Airtel Money.
Micheal Xue, CEO ZTE Devices Uganda expressed his excitement for the ZTE Nubia launch in Uganda citing that the brand is present in 20 African countries and will continue to expand their presence across the continent.
“We have already launched in 20 African countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, among others and next year we will put more product into the African market. We are not going anywhere, we are here to stay for a very long time.”
“We have partners here like Airtel Uganda and in future we will have more partners that we can do business with,” Xue added.