East Africa PC Shipment Outlook – HP Leads. Dell And Acer Follow. Mecer/Zinox Lags

From multiple reports, including IDT research, vendors will not rely on pricing or hardware specifications for a competitive edge, but rather on their ability to engage in demand-creation programs, mobilize channels, and articulate a message that their products will provide an unmatched user experience.

This is the Vendor Outlook on PC shipment, going forward.

• HP maintained its top position on the East Africa PC market, with shipment growth of 46% year on year, supported by strong commercial demand and improved run-rates during Q1 2011. The vendor remained very strong in the Kenya market but continued to struggle in Ethiopia and Uganda.

• Dell came a close second in Q1, with more than 600% year-on-year growth, after an aggressive channel recruitment and revamped drive from mid-2010. Dell continued to benefit more than other vendors from the shift from the gray market to official channels, especially in Ethiopia and Uganda, where desktop sales increased significantly.

• Acer was third in East Africa in Q1, with 200% year-on-year growth, mainly thanks to deals in the telecommunications space. This channel is expected to continue growing as telcos explore data services to supplement dwindling voice revenues.

It is quite instructive that Mecer, which came into the East African market (Kenya) at the same time its Nigerian version, Zinox came into being has not managed any significant sales achievement in that region. Meanwhile Zinox was last rated as the highest selling PC brand in Nigeria Q4 2010.

IDC’s Quarterly PC Tracker is famed to deliver timely intelligence and an inclusive database detailing changes and trends in the African PC market. The tracker enables users to view data by volume, value, country, year, quarter, vendor, brand, processor brand, and channel. It also includes easy-to-read summaries that analyze volume and value by form factor, vendor, and end-user segment.