Chinese technology gives Rwanda local edge in cellphone stakes

Network World reports that Chinese electronics company A-Link Technologies has launched Rwanda's first home-made 'Alira' mobile phone handsets, making that country the first in the region to sell locally manufactured mobile phones. This is a tangible result of the signing in 2006 of a memorandum of understanding between A-Link and the Rwanda Information Technology Authority, the country's telecom regulator. The Alira, which is aimed at sales throughout the region, will initially be manufacturing just 100 handsets per day, a good way below its capacity.