Africa is catching up to Asia Pacific in terms of booming technology usage and is set to develop as a region, logistics firm DHL claims.
The delivery company predicts that smartphones and tablets will account for 60% of hardware growth in Africa in 2013, and states the region is becoming as important as Asia in terms of technology growth.
Florence Noblot, DHL’s technology sector head for Europe, Middle East and Africa, notes the GSMA already ranks Africa as “the world’s second largest mobile market by connections after Asia, and the fastest growing mobile market in the world.”
DHL’s prediction is based on trends revealed at a recent conference it hosted. Charles Brewer, managing director for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, says the event also highlighted rising demand for consumer electronic products in Africa, but also a need for more investment by global tech companies to match Asia Pacific’s position as a supplier and consumer of technology.
While Brewer notes the logistics of seeking out new sales channels are tough, investing in Africa “also provides forward thinking brands with an opportunity,” he states.