Rwanda's Mara Group launched two smartphones on Monday, describing them as the first "Made in Africa" models and giving a boost to the country's ambitions to become a regional technology hub.

The Mara X and Mara Z will use Google's Android operating system and cost 175,750 Rwandan fransc ($190) and 120,250 Rwandan fransc ($130) respectively.

Mara Group CEO, Ashish Thakkar

They willcomplete with Samsung, whose cheapest smartphone costs 50,000 Rwandan fransc ($54), and non-branded phones at 35,000 Rwandan fransc ($37). Mara Group CEO Ashish Thakkar said it was targeting customers willing to pay more for quality.

Companies assemble smartphones in Egypt, Ethiopia, Algeria and South Africa, but import the components, he said.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com