Mara Corporation Limited has announced the plan to release Mara X, a one-of-a-kind high-quality, smartphone.
The company is partnering Google on the smart phone, which is set to be released for the African market in the second quarter of 2018.
According to a statement via email, the Mara X will be launched as part of Google’s Android One portfolio, getting a software experience designed by Google to be smart, secure and simply amazing.
Siya Chug, the brand director, said the Phone is a “proudly African brand,” which comes with the latest innovations from Google and will run the latest operating system, Android 8.0 Oreo, getting two years of OS upgrades.
The device according to the statement has been optimized for the Google Assistant which is user’s personal Google, ready to help throughout the user’s day.
Jagdish Thakkar, Chairman Mara corporation explained that “Across Africa and in other emerging markets, we need smartphones that are both extremely affordable and high quality.
“These phones will give people the ability to improve their lives through accessing information online and using them for trade and financial services.”
The Mara X’s features include unlimited high quality photo storage from Google Photos, carefully curated set of pre-installed apps for African users, making sure there is enough space for the apps they love. Regular security updates and Google Play Protect built in mean the Mara X is among the most secure devices available, the statement said.
According to Ashish J Thakkar, Mara Corporation Founder, “people can have fun with the device, learn and use it to build a better future.
“Africa is seeing a new generation of entrepreneurs looking for mobile technology to help run their businesses, and the Mara X will work for them to pursue greater heights.
“Our continent is expected to have over 700 million smartphones within a few years, and that connectivity will truly transform lives,” he said.
Mara Group began as a small IT business in Uganda, and has since expanded to the globally recognized multi-sector investment group, also focusing on building a digital e-commerce ecosystem to meet the evolving needs of consumers across Africa by investing in key e-commerce enablers like financial technology, social media, last mile logistics and now the Mara X.
