Post date: Apr 05, 2012 1:58:25 PM
BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO (REUTERS) - Its the technological revolution that is sweeping the world -- every free hand, every face pinched in concentration is focused on a hand held technological device like a tablet computer or a smartphone.
Africa's very own iPad rival was invented and created by 26-year-old Congolese student, Verone Mankou whose dream is to bring cheap technology and internet connectivity to the masses.
But where in other parts of the world an iPad is often the innovation of choice, in Congo's capital Brazzaville, its the Way-C, Africa's very own made tablet computer.
"This is primarily a Congolese product. I had to buy it because it was made by a Congolese, and after I wanted to see and I had some doubt like everyone thought, if this product would last? But I was proved wrong and I am pleased I bought it," said Alfred Edward, a proud owner of a Way-C.
The Way-C's designer and engineer, 26-year-old Verona Mankou, says his idea was to create a low-cost computer that was not "cheap" and to bring internet access to as many people as possible.
Although it was designed in Congo, the Way-C is assembled in China, to keep the price low and because there are no facilities to do the manufacture in the central African nation.
"At the beginning, the idea was to come up with up with a computer tablet that wasn't expensive, to allow as many people to have access to internet. Over the years, the computer has evolved and is no longer just accessible in the office. So our project also changed in 2007, and we moved towards making a computer tablet. After years of research and technology, as well as financing for the project, we managed to finish the product in 2011, we then presented it, and it has been on the market since January 2012," Mankou.
The Way-C was created under Mankou's company, VMK and went on sale for the first time this year in Congo at 300 US dollars. VMK forecasts sales to reach 100,000 tablets in one year within the country before it launches to neighbouring countries and West Africa.
It is a little smaller than Apple's iPad, with a 7-inch screen and weighing in at 380 grammes. It runs on an Android operating system, with 4GB internal memory and 512MB of RAM compared to iPad's 1GB but Mankou says its technical features put it on the same page as other tablets in the market.
"It's also an electronic book because with it has a memory of 4 gigabytes, which for some may appear too little, but it can contain up to 3000 ebooks. Basically it is an ideal companion that you can use anywhere. You can surf the internet and be in touch with relatives via applications like facebook, share information on application as twitter, basically it is a computer, which can be used on the move," he said.
The Way-C is retailed in Congo by Indian based mobile phone company Bharti Airtel and has sold over 2000 units in Brazzaville alone with more orders streaming in.
"From the customers' experience, meaning those who have bought the product and those who have used it, they have seen its efficiency, speed and capacity, and the customers have also quickly realised that the product is on par with those on the international market, which is why we have seen the product quickly selling off the shelves," said Maixant Becamba, sales manager for Airtel in Brazzaville.
Africa is the fastest growing mobile market in the world and will be home to 738 million handsets by the end of this year, according to a survey by industry body GSMA. The rise of smartphones has also given millions of African internet access for the first time.
Mankou said with a product like the Way-C the opportunities to get people connected was even higher because it was a a reliable product that was not financially out of reach for many.
He says questions about its quality should not overshadow its possibilities.
"For many people, it was a surprise because they did not expect to see a product with such quality and reliability. I personally think that the product is reliable because if the product was not reliable, we would not put have put it on the market if it was not reliable, a great partner like Airtel would not have wanted to attach its name on something that is not legit," he said.
Mankou is among a growing class of sharp solution oriented technological developers who are not ready to be left out of the digital and information revolution taking place around the world.
In Congo, the popularity of a a locally engineered product is even more enticing for the tech-savvy youth than internationally known brands as Africa increasingly relies on homegrown innovations.
"Even iPad and the other products were made with good quality, but they were not made in seconds. Those behind the Congolese computer tablet started it bit by bit, so yes I still think that it's a solid product. Over time, there will be more expertise and progress, and the product will have better quality," said Brazzaville resident Perceddu Fechu.
Mankou is not wasting anytime on his next creation, VMK is working on a Congolese smartphone that he expects will launch later this year.
Electronic giants like Samsung are already aggressively courting African consumers with "Built for Africa" smartphones that feature energy-saving electrical appliances purpose built to withstand high temperatures and erratic power supply.