Nokia is said to be opening a unit in Africa which will allow them to carry out research of their products and services across the African continent.
The unit will work hand-in-hand with universities and nongovernment organizations to develop products that will appeal to the African market. They will also study telecommunication services of Africa.
The official launch will take place in Septembers, but a team of six people will start working this month. Jussie Impio, team leader of Nokia research Africa, said that Africa is becoming an important market for Nokia, although the variety of languages and culture variety will be challenging. The poverty and low infrastructure will also be a challenge to the operation of Nokia in Africa.
The new center will allow the company to have a better understanding of the needs of African customers to develop devices that benefit health care and education.
Nokia also aims to start a project to help rural children’s education. The project will be called “Hand-in-hand” and will be financed by Nokia, china, Investment Co. Hand-in-hand is a long term project and it aims to provide care and preschool education to rural children under the age of 6 and create opportunities for the future success of rural children.
When the project is finished it is expected that more than 1000 early child centers will be built for over 700 00 rural children.
By IT News Africa staff reporter
