Power bank manufacturers targeting Nigeria on rise in smartphone users
Out of the 162 million mobile subscribers in 2017 in Nigeria, 21 million of them were smartphone users, according to Jumia 2018 mobile report
This upsurge in user base of these smartphones, has led to “battery anxiety” especially for smartphone-dependent users who need power to keep their relationships and jobs.
These developments have however heightened battle and quest for market shares among large number of players especially from China.
In 2015 the global power bank market size was valued at $6,733 million, today it is valued at over $29,576 million by 2022, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 23.3 percent, Nigeria is expected to drive growth.
Companies like FIT, New Age, Lordbex, Oriamo, Havit, Genric, Sunsky, Betsitter, Cafele, Promate, Dancing dove, Silver crest among others are flooding Nigeria markets with innovative products, as Nigerians continue to battle with epileptic power supply.
The producers are also positioning their products based on consumers’ consciousness from sleek package with capacity ranging from 500 mAh to 3,499 mAh, 3,500 mAh to 6,499 mAh, 6,500 mAh to 9,499 mAh, 9,500 mAh to 12,499 mAh, 12,500 mAh to 15,499 mAh, and above 15,500 mAh.
BusinessDay market survey shows the rising number of players has thrown up neck-to-neck battle for the soul of the market forcing manufacturers and even retailers to adopt various sales strategies to expand their market presence and cater for the growing demand.
However, substandard quality of power banks and implementation of alternatives, such as wireless and fast charge for electronic devices is hampering the market growth.
Joshua Ike a phone store owner at Ikeja said he uses the power bank from the maker which he said has never disappointed him, as it powers his two phones for two days.
For Blessing Omi her attraction to the current power bank, she uses is durability “I have been using this particular brand for a year now and the have never had need to change it.”
She however said that her next preferred brand will have to be able to be sleek in her palms.
Kunle Ajayi, a distributor at the Alaba International, says Nigerians in the last two months sales for the products has skyrocketed.
The demands for high end smartphones especialy Samsung and IPhones users are driving the market.
“Most Nigerians the above 15,500 mAh products especially from 30,000mAh and that they can easily move about in the pocket or purse.”
“Nigerians naturally like something that will serve them for a long-time, however in recent times, most of the customers I get seem to go for portable fanciful power banks,” Chukwuma Eze another distributor told BusinessDay.
DAVID IBEMERE