This is according to the research company, International Data Corporation (IDC) report.
While global PC shipments declined 3.2% year on year during the first three months of 2011 and the overall African PC market grew a marginal 1%, East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda recorded a massive 76% growth in PC shipments.
The growth in the first quater 2011 was fueled primarily by a healthy demand for notebooks, with Kenya showing the highest uptake.
“We are continuing to see increased interest in the region from international investors, especially with Kenya’s new constitution, which is hoped to be fully implemented after the next general elections, Uganda’s oil discovery and the formation of the East African Community (EAC) market, which has a combined population of over 130 million,” says Stanley Kamanguya, IDC analyst.
Consumer demand was dynamic in 2010 but relaxed in the first quarter 2011, due to a combination of factors that affected price levels, including unfavorable foreign exchange rates and inflationary pressures.
“Investors are looking at the region as the next frontier of growth, with Kenya as the hub. Political risk will remain a key issue for investors, however. The extent of consequences of events in North Africa and the Middle East remains unclear, which will affect the market in the short term,” says Kamanguya.
IDC predicts that in future vendors will not rely on pricing or hardware specifications for a competitive edge, but rather on their ability to engage in demand-creation programs, mobilise channels and articulate a message that their products will provide an unmatched user experience.
IDC expects that the East African PC market will further grow by about 35 to 45% in 2011 before cooling off in 2012.
By: Staff Writer
