Casablanca – Africa's mobile phone market started 2017
off with a drastic quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) decline
according to the latest figures announced today by
International Data Corporation (IDC). The global
technology research and consulting firm's newly
released Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker shows that
overall shipments for the first quarter of the year in
Africa totaled 54.5 million units, down -8.2% on Q4 2016.
The prime driver of this downturn was a stark -17.6%
decline in the smartphone segment, with shipments
falling from 25.8 million units in Q4 2016 to 21.2 million
units in Q1 2017.
When viewed year on year (YoY), the overall mobile
market was up 8.4%, primarily due to feature phone
shipments growing from 26.6 million units in Q1 2016 to
33.3 million units in Q1 2017. Feature phones have now
been rising as a proportion of the total market for more
than a year, which highlights the continuing importance
of basic mobile communications in many parts of Africa,
particularly in rural areas.
The drop in smartphone shipments in Q1 2017 was
caused by substantial QoQ declines in the continent's
three largest smartphone markets – South Africa
(-13.6%), Nigeria (-8.1%), and Egypt (-11.5%). "In South
Africa, the drop was mainly due to high levels of stock
in the channel from previous quarters," says Nabila
Popal, a senior research manager at IDC. "Nigeria's
decline was caused by the ongoing recession in the
overall economy as well as difficulties in accessing
foreign currencies for imports, while continuing
exchange-rate difficulties were also behind the major
decline seen in Egypt."
The smartphone markets in Morocco and Algeria also
performed poorly in Q1 2017, although the QoQ declines
were much less drastic at -2.2% and -1.5%, respectively.
"Morocco's economy was significantly impacted by a
stalemate in the government that is delaying the
disbursement of budgetary funds, while Algeria's
unstable politics continue to dampen consumers'
willingness to make discretionary purchases," says
Soufiane Bouhaji, a research analyst at IDC. "Tunisia was
the only market in North Africa to record a QoQ increase
in smartphone shipments (0.5%) in Q1 2017 and that was
mainly due to the country's healthier macroeconomic
environment."
The East African markets performed stronger than any
other region in Africa in terms of smartphone shipments
for Q1 2017, with Tanzania and Uganda seeing
substantial QoQ increases of 8.1% and 11.6%,
respectively. The Kenyan market, which has seen big
gains in smartphone shipments over the last two years,
was more subdued in Q1 2017, with shipments declining
slightly by -1.3 % QoQ.
In terms of vendor rankings, Samsung remains the
continent's leading smartphone vendor, with 29.8%
share in Q1 2017, up on the previous two quarters but
slightly down on Q1 2016. Its big rival in Africa, the
China-based Transsion group, took second place with
23.9% share of the smartphone market, thanks to its
diversified portfolio of mid-range phones and strong
focus on the ˂$150 price segment. In the feature phone
space however, it is Transsion that dominates not
Samsung, with its Tecno and itel brands accounting for
three out of every five feature phones shipped across the
continent in Q1 2017.
"IDC expects Africa's overall smartphone market to
slowly rebound from its current lull to a state of growth,"
says Bouhaji. "Despite the tough macroeconomic
conditions currently inhibiting much of the region,
smartphone prices continue to fall and this will drive
their adoption across Africa. Almost 40% of all
smartphones shipped in Africa in Q1 2017 were priced
below $80, up from 28% just two years earlier. Mobile
data charges are also becoming more affordable, while
increasing use of video-sharing applications and
improving penetration of over-the-top services are
further encouraging smartphone adoption."
IDC is forecasting that Africa's smartphone shipments
will remain flat this year, but for growth to resume in
2018 as the economy gradually recovers.
About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global
provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and
events for the information technology,
telecommunications, and consumer technology markets.
With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers
global, regional, and local expertise on technology and
industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries.
IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals,
business executives, and the investment community to
make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve
their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a
subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media,
research, and events company. To learn more about IDC,
please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at .
IDC in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey
For the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey region, IDC
retains a coordinated network of offices in Riyadh,
Casablanca, Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, Cairo, and
Istanbul, with a regional center in Dubai. Our coverage
couples local insight with an international perspective to
provide a comprehensive understanding of markets in
these dynamic regions. Our market intelligence services
are unparalleled in depth, consistency, scope, and
accuracy. IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey currently
fields over 130 analysts, consultants, and conference
associates across the region. To learn more about IDC
MEA, please visit www.idc-cema.com. You can follow
IDC MEA on Twitter at .
off with a drastic quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) decline
according to the latest figures announced today by
International Data Corporation (IDC). The global
technology research and consulting firm's newly
released Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker shows that
overall shipments for the first quarter of the year in
Africa totaled 54.5 million units, down -8.2% on Q4 2016.
The prime driver of this downturn was a stark -17.6%
decline in the smartphone segment, with shipments
falling from 25.8 million units in Q4 2016 to 21.2 million
units in Q1 2017.
When viewed year on year (YoY), the overall mobile
market was up 8.4%, primarily due to feature phone
shipments growing from 26.6 million units in Q1 2016 to
33.3 million units in Q1 2017. Feature phones have now
been rising as a proportion of the total market for more
than a year, which highlights the continuing importance
of basic mobile communications in many parts of Africa,
particularly in rural areas.
The drop in smartphone shipments in Q1 2017 was
caused by substantial QoQ declines in the continent's
three largest smartphone markets – South Africa
(-13.6%), Nigeria (-8.1%), and Egypt (-11.5%). "In South
Africa, the drop was mainly due to high levels of stock
in the channel from previous quarters," says Nabila
Popal, a senior research manager at IDC. "Nigeria's
decline was caused by the ongoing recession in the
overall economy as well as difficulties in accessing
foreign currencies for imports, while continuing
exchange-rate difficulties were also behind the major
decline seen in Egypt."
The smartphone markets in Morocco and Algeria also
performed poorly in Q1 2017, although the QoQ declines
were much less drastic at -2.2% and -1.5%, respectively.
"Morocco's economy was significantly impacted by a
stalemate in the government that is delaying the
disbursement of budgetary funds, while Algeria's
unstable politics continue to dampen consumers'
willingness to make discretionary purchases," says
Soufiane Bouhaji, a research analyst at IDC. "Tunisia was
the only market in North Africa to record a QoQ increase
in smartphone shipments (0.5%) in Q1 2017 and that was
mainly due to the country's healthier macroeconomic
environment."
The East African markets performed stronger than any
other region in Africa in terms of smartphone shipments
for Q1 2017, with Tanzania and Uganda seeing
substantial QoQ increases of 8.1% and 11.6%,
respectively. The Kenyan market, which has seen big
gains in smartphone shipments over the last two years,
was more subdued in Q1 2017, with shipments declining
slightly by -1.3 % QoQ.
In terms of vendor rankings, Samsung remains the
continent's leading smartphone vendor, with 29.8%
share in Q1 2017, up on the previous two quarters but
slightly down on Q1 2016. Its big rival in Africa, the
China-based Transsion group, took second place with
23.9% share of the smartphone market, thanks to its
diversified portfolio of mid-range phones and strong
focus on the ˂$150 price segment. In the feature phone
space however, it is Transsion that dominates not
Samsung, with its Tecno and itel brands accounting for
three out of every five feature phones shipped across the
continent in Q1 2017.
"IDC expects Africa's overall smartphone market to
slowly rebound from its current lull to a state of growth,"
says Bouhaji. "Despite the tough macroeconomic
conditions currently inhibiting much of the region,
smartphone prices continue to fall and this will drive
their adoption across Africa. Almost 40% of all
smartphones shipped in Africa in Q1 2017 were priced
below $80, up from 28% just two years earlier. Mobile
data charges are also becoming more affordable, while
increasing use of video-sharing applications and
improving penetration of over-the-top services are
further encouraging smartphone adoption."
IDC is forecasting that Africa's smartphone shipments
will remain flat this year, but for growth to resume in
2018 as the economy gradually recovers.
About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global
provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and
events for the information technology,
telecommunications, and consumer technology markets.
With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers
global, regional, and local expertise on technology and
industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries.
IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals,
business executives, and the investment community to
make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve
their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a
subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media,
research, and events company. To learn more about IDC,
please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at .
IDC in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey
For the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey region, IDC
retains a coordinated network of offices in Riyadh,
Casablanca, Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, Cairo, and
Istanbul, with a regional center in Dubai. Our coverage
couples local insight with an international perspective to
provide a comprehensive understanding of markets in
these dynamic regions. Our market intelligence services
are unparalleled in depth, consistency, scope, and
accuracy. IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey currently
fields over 130 analysts, consultants, and conference
associates across the region. To learn more about IDC
MEA, please visit www.idc-cema.com. You can follow
IDC MEA on Twitter at .
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