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RIM Moves to Consolidate Dominance on the Nigerian Market, Opens Flagship Store

By on September 27, 2012

L-R: Robert Bose, Regional Manager Director for the Middle East and Africa, and Mr. Waldi Wepener, Regional Director of East, West and Central Africa at a press conference announcing the official opening of a permanent local entity and the first fully branded BlackBerry retail store in Lagos

Research in Motion (RIM), manufacturers of Blackberry devices, is taking practical steps to establish a larger footprint across the Nigerian and entire African market.

The company which has experienced severe market penetration loss in North America due to a change in consumer tastes in that region is however experiencing windfall-type sales in Nigeria.

RIM explains away its loss of market share in North America by articulating the technological paradigm shift smart phone users are embarked upon as they moved to Long Term Evolution (LTE) from 3G.

According to an Informa Telecoms research report, 50% of the Nigerian smartphone industry is held by RIM.

RIM says it hopes to penetrate and dominate the African market by springboarding off Nigeria.

The company on Tuesday opened its first flagship retail store in Lagos on Tuesday.
Speaking to the media at the unveiling, Regional Managing Director for Middle East and Africa at RIM, Mr. Robert Bose said the move underscored the commitment of RIM to its partners and customers in the world’s fastest growing market.

HE said, “As the leading smartphone provider in Nigeria and in Africa, our customers are our number one priority, so we are very pleased to cement our physical presence with local staff, establish a new legal entity and work with local business partners to expand our retail and customer care across Nigeria.”

Also addressing the media, Regional Director, Middle East and Africa at RIM, Mr. Waldi Wepener said RIM would enhance its customer service delivery.

He said, “RIM plans to introduce in-warranty repair and after-sales support in retail stores located in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt to help customers get best of BlackBerry smartphones.”