HOME SanDisk extends Middle East retail footprint
Storage vendor SanDisk continued to broaden its Middle East retail channel presence in 2013, expanding its distributor ‘footprint’ both vertically and horizontally in terms of specialised product-related distributors and retailers, as well as targeting specific consumer segments. SanDisk is participating at next month’s DISTREE Middle East 2014 in Abu Dhabi, using the event to hold pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with the region’s top retail executives and reinforce its position as a category leader.
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STK signs Sapphire as Nigerian distributor
STK Accessories has expanded its channel reach, appointing Sapphire as an exclusive distribution partner in Nigeria. Sapphire offers STK nationwide channel reach with a customer base ranging from independent retailers through to telecoms operators in Nigeria. The full STK Accessories product portfolio will be made available to Nigerian channel customers through Sapphire.
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Zens expands wireless charging portfolio
Zens, a developer of wireless charging solutions, has launched its next generation of products. Zens ia adding two new products to its offering: the Zens Qi wireless portable audio speaker and the Zens Qi wireless power bank. The two new products are intended for consumers who want to enjoy wireless charging on the go, making sure they will never be out of power when traveling.
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Bit9, a supplier of threat protection solutions for endpoints and servers, has appointed Mohammad Aquib Aftab as regional director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) region. Aftab will be tasked with further establishing the Bit9 brand in the region and developing the company’s channel by building long-term, sustainable business relationships with the region’s top partners.
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Bytes SI recognised for partner excellence
South Africa-based systems integrator Bytes has picked up a channel award from networking and communications solution vendor Alcatel-Lucent. Bytes Systems Integration (SI) received an Alcatel-Lucent Excellence partner award EMEA for 2013, recognising the company’s accomplishments as an Alcatel-Lucent partner. Bytes SI won the award based on a number of considerations including sales and services, vendor management, logistics and customer service and marketing.
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Mitsumi picks up African channel award
Mitsumi Distribution, one of the largest technology and consumer electronics distributors in Africa, won the Africa Distributor of the year award at the ‘EMEA Channel Academy: 2014 Awards’, which took place in conjunction with last month’s DISTREE EMEA. The distributor winners were determined based on feedback from vendors and second-tier resellers.
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Toshiba takes top spot in East Africa notebook market
Toshiba is claiming top spot in the East African notebook market, based on research house IDC’s analysis of calendar year 2013. Toshiba more than doubled its East African sales year-on-year in 2013 to capture 23% notebook market share. IDC’s East African market analysis covers Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
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The numbercrunchers at IDC reckon that PC shipments to East Africa were up 3% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2013, hitting a total of 140,251 units. Strong gains in the markets of Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia helped offset soft demand in Kenya, where the introduction of new VAT legislation resulted in a slide in PC shipments.
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Huawei opens first retail store in Africa
Fast-growing device vendor Huawei has underlined its African ambitions by opening its first retail outlet in the region, giving consumers direct access to its devices and technical support services. The store is locatedd at Vodacom World in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Bruce Wong, Huawei’s key account general manager for Vodacom, said: “We have seen significant growth in South Africa. Launching a local store is a key element to cater to the growing demand from our customers and further establish our brand in the country.”
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Pamoja Africa partners with Symantec
Cloud services provider Pamoja Africa has entered into a partnership with security solutions powerhouse Symantec. Under the terms of the agreement Pamoja Africa will distribute Symantec’s suite of cloud services in sub-Sahara Africa to meet growing security, compliance and archiving needs. Pamjoa is the cloud services business unit of pan-African ICT enabler Seacom.
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