Mara Phones Manufacturing Plant
Africa's first smartphone factory — made in Rwanda, designed for the continent.
Mara Phones, established by Ashish Thakkar's Mara Group, opened Africa's first smartphone manufacturing plant in Kigali, Rwanda in October 2019. Unlike other African phone assembly operations that import semi-assembled components, Mara manufactures smartphones from the motherboard level, making it the first true smartphone factory on the continent. The plant produces affordable Android-based smartphones (Mara X and Mara Z models) targeting first-time smartphone users in Africa. The facility was opened by President Paul Kagame and represents Rwanda's push to position itself as a technology manufacturing hub. A second Mara Phones factory was also opened in Durban, South Africa.
- 01Manufacture affordable smartphones from the motherboard level entirely on African soil
- 02Provide first-time smartphone access to millions of Africans at price points under $100
- 03Build local electronics manufacturing skills and a technology workforce in Rwanda
- 04Demonstrate that complex electronics manufacturing is viable in Africa
- 05Support Rwanda's digital transformation and Made in Rwanda agenda
- 06Reduce Africa's dependency on imported phones by building local production capacity
2018 · completed
Mara Phones Announced
Ashish Thakkar's Mara Group announces plans to build Africa's first smartphone manufacturing plant in Kigali, securing investment and government support.
2019 · completed
Kigali Factory Opened
President Paul Kagame officially opens the Mara Phones factory in the Kigali Special Economic Zone in October 2019. First Mara X and Mara Z smartphones produced.
2019 · completed
Durban Factory Opened
A second Mara Phones factory opens in Durban, South Africa, expanding the company's manufacturing footprint to two African countries.
2020 · completed
Initial Production Ramp-Up
Production ramps up with smartphones sold through Rwandan retail channels. The Mara X is priced at approximately $60 targeting first-time smartphone buyers.
2022 · completed
Market Challenges and Restructuring
Mara Phones faces competitive pressures from established Chinese brands in the African market. The company explores partnerships and market repositioning.
2025 · in progress
Continued Operations and New Models
Mara Phones continues operations focusing on affordable connectivity devices and exploring B2B partnerships with governments and educational institutions.
Manufacturing
SMT Production Lines
Surface mount technology lines with automated component placement machines, reflow soldering ovens, and inspection systems for motherboard manufacturing.
Manufacturing
Assembly Lines
Manual and semi-automated assembly stations for integrating displays, batteries, cameras, and housings into finished smartphones.
Quality Control
Quality Testing Lab
Testing stations for functional testing, RF calibration, camera quality, battery performance, and drop testing of finished devices.
Supply Chain
Component Supply Chain
Components sourced from global suppliers including Qualcomm (chipsets), display manufacturers, and battery cell producers.
Human Capital
Trained Technicians
Rwandan technicians trained in electronics manufacturing, SMT operation, and quality control.
- Surface mount technology (SMT) lines for motherboard assembly with automated pick-and-place machines
- Full phone assembly including display, battery, camera module, and housing integration
- Automated optical inspection (AOI) and quality testing stations for assembled circuit boards
- Android operating system customisation and software loading for Mara-branded devices
- ESD-safe (electrostatic discharge) cleanroom manufacturing environment
- Packaging and logistics automation for finished product distribution
What it means for the community
Mara Phones demonstrated that smartphone manufacturing from the motherboard level is achievable in Africa, challenging the assumption that such manufacturing is only viable in Asia. The Kigali factory provided skilled electronics manufacturing jobs for hundreds of Rwandans and built a foundation of technical capability. While facing significant competitive challenges from established global brands, Mara Phones symbolises Africa's manufacturing ambition and has inspired discussions about electronics manufacturing policy across the continent. The project supports Rwanda's Vision 2050 goal of building a technology-enabled economy.
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- Mara Group — founded by Ashish Thakkar
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