FYI, this item may be of interest. Nokia has apparently been putting a lot of effort into meeting the growing African market through localized cellphone interfaces. The Nigerian language offerings are just the latest.
Counting all localized cellphones across Africa, there are a number of languages represented, including Arabic of coutse since some time, several languages of South Africa, Swahili, Amharic, and now several in Nigeria, This may not be an exhaustive list and it will be interesting to see both how localized offerings in other languages become available and how they are received in the user communities. Don Osborn Bisharat.net PanAfrican Localisation Project [Source: http://www.kauppalehti.fi/4/i/eng/releases/press_release.jsp?selected=hex&oid=20060401/11447647628310&lang=EN ; reference seen on H-Hausa] NOKIA: Nokia strengthens West African presence with new Nigeria office Tuesday 11 April 2006 17:10 EEST Kauppalehti Online PRESS RELEASE 11.4.2006 Nokia Nokia strengthens West African presence with new Nigeria office Lagos, Nigeria - Nokia today officially opened its office in Lagos, Nigeria, which will serve both Nigeria and the West African sub region. Nokia's new office highlights the company's commitment to significantly enhancing its physical presence on the continent and joins a growing list of African offices in Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, Kenya, Tunisia and South Africa. According to Timo Toikkanen, Nokia's senior vice president, Customer and Market Operations in Middle East and Africa, "The potential for growth in Nigeria's telecoms industry is enormous. This is both an amazing opportunity, as well as a challenge. It is an opportunity to provide customised, peerless service to match the growing needs of the market and a challenge to do this effectively amidst the flux and intense dynamics of the industry." Toikkanen believes that establishing this office will enable Nokia to address these opportunities and challenges even more effectively. Nokia is the first manufacturer to introduce local Nigerian languages like Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo as an option on their mobile phones. "In so doing we are enhancing the convenience of millions more customers and connecting millions more people. It was a wonderful accolade for both Nigeria and Nokia, when we sold our billionth phone right here in Lagos in September 2005" continues Toikkanen. Nokia's head of networks for the region, Mr. Emmanuel Revmatas, adds that due to the ever-changing environment and rapid subscriber growth, it is imperative for Nokia to have on-the-ground support. "Telecommunications is an incredibly important development tool, and Nokia wants to continue to play a leading role in spearheading the economic growth and development that telecommunications typically unleashes especially in new growth markets." Nokia has a long-standing presence and enjoys phenomenal brand awareness in Nigeria. In January, it was declared "Best Foreign Brand of the Year 2005" by THISDAY Newspaper, one of Nigeria's leading newspapers. The company has also been involved in youth leadership and motivational programs, working with the NGO, LEAP Africa. Revmatas continues, "Establishing a physical presence in Nigeria will enable us to consolidate on such social interventions, whilst further entrenching the Nokia brand in the region." About Nokia Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobile industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. Media Enquiries: Nokia, Networks Communications Tel. +358 7180 34379 Nokia Communications Tel. +358 7180 34900 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.nokia.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
