Simi Mobile Factory is Building Mobile Devices for Africa – Including the Solar-Powered Tablets for Uganda’s Upcoming Census.
David Beecham Okwere, CEO, Simi Mobile Factory, talks to World Business Journal about the company’s striking expansion from a store to a mobile phone factory creating 2,500 units a day.
Can you tell us about Simi Mobile’s development until today?
Simi Mobile’s journey began in 2016 with a modest retail store primarily focused on mobile phone sales. However, it was in 2019, driven by the surging demand for mobile devices, that we recognised the potential to enter the field of phone assembly. Equipped with vital market insights gained during a visit to a phone manufacturing facility in Ethiopia, we secured four acres of land here in Uganda.
With an initial $4 million investment, we acquired machinery, constructed facilities, provided training, procured materials, established critical infrastructure, and compensated our workforce..
Could you provide insights into your product lineup, capacity and the types of clients you serve?
Initially, our focus was on phones and smartphones but we have since diversified to include tablets, laptops, and other products operating across a spectrum of network technologies, from 2G to 4G so our users always stay connected. Currently, we assemble 2,500 phones per day, with 70% going to the domestic market and the remaining 30% exported to countries like Tanzania , Kenya and Morocco.
We serve both individual consumers and larger organisations such as the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) currently preparing to use our solar-powered tablets to facilitate biometric data collection and data analysis during the upcoming population census.
Do you carry out work in the community?
One notable initiative that exemplifies our commitment to impactful technology is the Ucasaf programme, a collaborative effort with the Uganda’s Communications Commission (UCC). which aims to benefit low-income households in rural villages. This began with a delivery of 1,000 tablets rising to 2,000 in the next order and 5,000 in the order after that, underscoring the program’s remarkable growth and its impact on communities.
What are Simi’s strategic growth plans for the future and how do you see your company’s role in shaping the African mobile market?
Simi Mobile’s strategic growth plans include expanding our workforce to 2,500 employees, increasing production capacity, and positioning Simi Mobile as a unique African brand in the mobile phone industry. Our goal is to become a source of pride for Africa, competing effectively with international brands while receiving essential support from the Ugandan government.
