Core Insights - The African smartphone market is experiencing a significant rebound, with Q3 2025 shipments expected to surge by 24% year-on-year, reaching 22.8 million units, following five consecutive quarters of decline [1][6] - Key factors driving this growth include increased market demand, currency stability, enhanced financing usage, and improved retail activities [1] - North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa are witnessing double-digit growth in smartphone shipments, with Nigeria and Egypt each accounting for 14% of regional shipments, but with differing recovery dynamics [1][2] Market Performance - Nigeria's smartphone shipments are projected to soar by 29% year-on-year, attributed to the stabilization of the Naira and the introduction of affordable models under $150, stimulating retail upgrade demand [1] - Egypt's market is expected to grow by 19%, driven by increased demand for mid-range devices and promotional bundling strategies [1] - South Africa leads the growth with a 31% increase, benefiting from the rise of prepaid models and enhanced retail promotions [2] Product Segmentation - Smartphones priced below $100 are expected to see a remarkable 57% increase, while those above $500 are projected to grow by 52% [4] - Transsion is a key player in the entry-level market, with a 25% year-on-year increase in shipments, supported by strong demand in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa [4] - Samsung dominates the high-end market, with strong demand for Galaxy S24 and S24 FE 5G models in South Africa, Senegal, and Algeria [4] Competitive Landscape - Xiaomi is accelerating its long-term strategy in Africa, planning to enter over 15 new markets and has opened its first flagship store in Morocco [4] - OPPO is consolidating its market position in North Africa, focusing on Egypt, while Honor is maintaining steady growth in South Africa through competitive models like Honor 200 Lite [4] Future Outlook - Despite the current growth, the African smartphone market is expected to decline by 6% in 2026 due to rising supply-side pressures, including increased BOM costs and currency depreciation [6] - The low-end 4G market, which constitutes a significant portion of demand, will be particularly affected, leading to higher average selling prices and new payment challenges for consumers [6]

Core Insights - The African smartphone market saw a year-on-year increase of 7% in Q2 2025, with a total shipment of 19.2 million units, making it one of the best-performing regions globally [1][2] - Demand for ultra-low-cost smartphones under $100 surged by 38% in Q2 2025, contributing to a decrease in average selling prices since 2023 [1] Company Performance - Transsion maintained its leading position with a 6% growth, holding a 51% market share, significantly ahead of competitors [1][2] - Samsung ranked second with an 18% market share, showing a slight increase from the previous year [2] - Xiaomi achieved a remarkable 32% growth, securing a 14% market share and marking its ninth consecutive quarter of growth [1][2] - Honor experienced a substantial growth rate of 161%, while OPPO and Realme faced declines of 11% and 17%, respectively [2] Market Strategy - Xiaomi is focusing on expanding its presence in Africa, having established operations in 16 countries, including Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria, and Kenya [1]