A government delegation led by the ministers responsible for ICT and technical education visited the construction site in Hamdallaye, Tillabéri region, on Thursday, August 20, to assess progress on the project, which is being carried out by DHY Technologie SA. According to the Ministry of Communication and New Technologies, 60% of the work has been completed in just six months.
A Strategic Investment for Digital Inclusion
The project represents an investment of approximately 2.94 billion CFA francs (about $4.5 million) and is expected to create 275 permanent jobs. Beyond assembling digital devices, the initiative aims to develop local expertise in electronics and reduce Niger's reliance on imports, which remain costly and subject to logistical challenges.
The plant is located at the Innovation City in Sadoré, about 40 kilometres from Niamey, a hub that already houses a coding academy (CodeLoccol), an incubator, a Fab Lab, and a startup accelerator.
For Niger, the factory is part of a broader digital transformation strategy. The Smart Villages programme, supported by the World Bank, had already improved broadband access for 7.3 million people in more than 2,000 villages by mid-2024, creating a growing market for digital devices and services.
The plant will assemble smartphones, tablets and computers for the domestic market and, eventually, for the wider sub-Saharan region. An integrated training centre is also planned to develop local technicians and reduce dependence on foreign expertise.
The Affordability Challenge
The cost of internet-enabled devices remains a major barrier to digital adoption in Africa. In 2024, the median price of an entry-level smartphone in sub-Saharan Africa was $39, equivalent to 26% of average income, but represented 64% of the income of the poorest 40% of the population.
According to World Bank data, only 18.24% of Nigeriens aged over 15 owned a smartphone in 2024, while the International Telecommunication Union estimated internet penetration at 39.5% and mobile phone ownership at 58.9% in 2025.
Local Assembly Faces Cost and Competition Challenges
While local assembly could increase the supply of affordable devices, experiences elsewhere in Africa show significant challenges remain. A study by Rwandan authorities found that manufacturing or assembling a phone in Africa costs about 5% more on average than producing one in China or Taiwan and importing it.
Locally assembled devices also face competition from established international brands already well entrenched in the entry-level market, including Infinix, Itel, Redmi and Vivo.
In Kenya, a public-private partnership launched an affordable smartphone assembly plant in October 2023. By January 2026, five million units had been assembled, with prices ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 Kenyan shillings (approximately $46 to $62). However, a GSMA report noted that smartphones from the Kenyan plant had seen limited uptake, with some consumers viewing them as less attractive or lower in quality than models from established brands.
Challenges Ahead
The plant must navigate structural challenges, including stable electricity supply, reliable digital connectivity and logistics in a landlocked country where supply chains remain costly. The industrial complex will also need to secure a steady supply of components and build consumer trust in locally assembled devices.
Despite these hurdles, Niger's ambition is clear: to move beyond being a consumer of imported technology and become, however modestly, an actor in its own digital transition. As the industry proverb goes, the future belongs to those who can assemble vision, skills and persistence.
With reporting from Ecofin Agency, La Nouvelle Tribune, Sputnik Afrique, Sika Finance and NafoloNews.
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