Engie Energy Access Rwanda and Samsung have launched a strategic partnership aimed at increasing smartphone ownership in Rwanda by offering affordable Samsung smartphones with flexible payment plans. The initiative, called “Ni Umuti,” was launched on Sept. 6 in Kigali and supports Rwanda’s efforts to expand internet access and increase smartphone penetration.
According to the 2022 Rwanda Population and Housing Census, mobile phone penetration in the country stands at 87.4%, but smartphone ownership remains limited. The “Ni Umuti” campaign aims to address this gap by providing entry-level and advanced Samsung smartphones through 11 Engie Energy Access Rwanda service centers and over 300 agents nationwide.
Available models include the Samsung Galaxy A04, A05, A05s, A15, A35 5G, A55 5G, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra. The partnership offers payment flexibility, allowing customers to pay in daily, weekly, or monthly installments, with plans starting as low as Rwf600. Customers can also bundle their smartphone purchase with Engie Energy Access Rwanda’s solar systems at a discounted rate.
“The payment plans will be as flexible as possible. Even if one has Rwf600, they will be able to pay for the loan installment until the purchased smartphone is fully paid,” said Patrick Mugabo, Head of Operations at Engie Energy Access Rwanda.
Customers can call Engie Energy Access Rwanda’s toll-free line at 2345 for more information or to address any financial difficulties, enhancing accessibility across various economic segments.
Patrick Adjiwanou, Managing Director at Engie Energy Access Rwanda, emphasized the partnership’s alignment with their mission to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to underserved communities. “We have impacted thousands of households and businesses, providing them with the tools they need to thrive in today’s economy. Adding the smartphones to their welfare is a way of responding to their demands for basic needs,” Adjiwanou said.
Engie Energy Access Rwanda, a subsidiary of the global energy solutions leader ENGIE, focuses on delivering affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to underserved communities through innovative and customer-centric solutions.
Anthony Hutia Mungai, Head of Mobile Experience at Samsung Electronics East Africa, expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential to reach more customers. “As Samsung, we are a brand that places our customers at the heart of everything we do. This approach guides our innovation as well as the partnerships we drive, one such partnership is with Engie Energy Access,” Mungai said.
Samsung, known for its wide range of transformative technologies including smartphones, TVs, wearable devices, and home appliances, aims to push the boundaries of innovation and make technology accessible to all Rwandans. “We are consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation, setting new standards in the smartphone industry, and we want all Rwandans to experience this technology. That is why the Buy Now Pay Later model is integral to our business strategy,” Mungai noted.
Iane Uwase, an Engie Energy Access Rwanda agent and Samsung smartphone user, shared her enthusiasm for the initiative. “I am confident that my experience will be key in enticing more people to buy similar phones with a flexible and tangible repayment plan,” she said.
