TECNO and Safaricom have cut the price of a 5G-enabled smartphone by KSh11,000 in Kenya, seeking to make compatible devices more affordable and encourage wider adoption of next-generation mobile connectivity.
The TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G will retail at KSh44,999, down from KSh55,999, under a promotional offer running through October 31, according to the companies. The reduction of about 20% targets the cost of devices needed by consumers to access 5G networks.
The partnership brings together TECNO’s smartphone business and Safaricom’s telecommunications network as Kenya expands its digital infrastructure. While network coverage determines where consumers can access 5G, the price of compatible smartphones remains a factor in how widely the technology is adopted.
The POVA Curve 2 5G features an 8,000mAh battery, 45-watt fast charging and a MediaTek Dimensity 7100 5G processor. TECNO is positioning the device for users who rely on their smartphones for work, business, communication and access to digital services.
The campaign also offers incentives to existing customers. Eligible consumers who purchased the POVA Curve 2 5G before the promotional period can claim a TECNO POP 20 smartphone with 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage at no additional cost, subject to verification and campaign terms.
Customers who acquired the POVA Curve 2 5G through Safaricom’s Lipa Mdogo Mdogo installment-payment service will also receive a one-month repayment waiver.
Kenya has prioritized digital connectivity as part of its broader digital transformation agenda. The Communications Authority of Kenya has identified affordable devices, spectrum availability and infrastructure investment as factors that influence access to emerging technologies such as 5G.