Ghana’s plan to remove import duties on smartphones, a move other African nations have contemplated, will help indigenous companies that are “playing by the rules,” according to a top executive for RLG, which makes laptops, desktops and mobile phones.

RLG, which has its global headquarters in Dubai, runs phone assembly operations for West Africa from Ghana.

“We believe it is a very positive move for the industry in general as it would make smartphones more affordable to all and help increase the smartphone penetration level in the country,” Prakash Somasundaram, RLG’s global CFO, told IDG via email. “This is also expected to discourage grey market imports of devices—a move that will benefit players like RLG who have been playing by the rules. With our recent launches of new smart devices, we expect higher volumes and higher capacity utilization at our assembly plant in Ghana.”

To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here