HMD begins manufacturing Nokia phones in Egypt

Even though it has only been a few days since President Abdel-Fattah El-call, Sisi’s HMD Global, the exclusive licensee of the Nokia brand of smartphones and tablets, has already made a substantial effort. As a result, the deal to make the company’s phones in Egypt was signed in the presence of Won Chang, executive vice president for products, and Alain Lejeune, chief operating officer at HMD Global OY. Now, mobile phone shipments will begin in Egypt and continue to Sudan and the rest of North Africa.

The agreement was signed by Tamer El-Gamal, General Manager of HMD in Egypt, and Ahmed Abu Ouf, Managing Director of EAI. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement to produce one million mobile devices of various models, whether feature phones or smartphones, this year. This is in addition to doubling production over the next year.

Amr Mahfouz, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), ITIDA Vice President Hossam Osman, and several officials from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), EAI, and HMD Global also attended the signing ceremony.

Tamer El-Gamal, General Manager of HMD in Egypt, stated that HMD will transfer technological expertise to Egypt as well as provide production requirements such as raw materials, inspection and testing tools, and calibration equipment.

El-Gamal emphasized that Nokia experts will provide Egyptian calibers with extensive training. In addition, all means of support are provided to benefit from HMD research and development (R&D) centres in order to provide the best specifications and products that meet customer needs.

He went on to say that the current policies of the state are ideal for taking such a step at a time when most multinational corporations are reducing their presence in many markets. Egypt, on the other hand, has the potential to be the region’s technological manufacturing hub due to its large market and a society dominated by young people who can absorb and apply technology.

Meanwhile, Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, confirmed that the agreement exemplifies the government’s concerted efforts to foster global companies’ investments in Egypt. It also emphasizes the government’s eagerness to encourage and facilitate the private sector’s production of electronics in Egyptian factories. This process is helping to grow this important industry and provide specialized job opportunities for young people in electronics and ICTs.

President Sisi recently emphasized the importance of improving industry localization and modern technology transfer processes, including training for Egyptian human cadres in manufacturing and maintenance work. This would create more job opportunities and boost the economy by utilizing feeder national industries and selling local industry products at lower prices than their foreign counterparts.

Given the vast and numerous projects underway across the country, President El-Sisi has also called for greater exploration of more fields of industry localization, particularly in infrastructure projects.

It should be noted that Nokia phone production will begin soon with feature phones, followed by smartphones in mid-October, assuming that exports to some African countries, North Africa, and Sudan will begin in the first half of next year, with Egypt serving as the company’s gateway to the African continent.

Furthermore, Mr. Tamer El-Gamal, General Manager of HMD Egypt, stated that the company is concerned about product quality, which will not be lower than that of factories in the world’s most advanced countries, and that international experts will be appointed to train and transfer expertise to Egyptian workers.

He went on to say that the manufacturing process will provide the company with a solid foundation for after-sales services, which are already one of the major advantages of Nokia phones in Egypt. Because the Egyptian consumer will be the first to testify to the success of this experience, HMD will be more eager to please all customers.