Apple Now Lives in Nigeria with 1st iStore

Nigeria which is Africa’s leading mobile market is scheduled to have its first official Apple store (iStore) in the heart of commercial capital, Lagos.
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“Consumers will now have the chance to purchase all Apple products – iPhone, iPad, etc – from official channel as the iStore opens in Lagos. We’re excited to have this iStore in Nigeria. It has taken so long to be here, but it has worth the while to wait for the right time,” a publicist for Apple in Nigeria told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek late Thursday.

Most Apple products until now have been accessed mainly through the grey market, which is very robust in this very diverse nation of over 160 million.

Most mobile device consumers here have a taste for high-end products, with the Blackberry leading the smartphone market segment due to its official presence.

“Until the store is officially opened for business”  Apple source who pleaded anonymity said there were also plans to have business relations with the mobile operators. This will enhance market penetration as the mobile operators are key drivers of growth among the leading smartphones brands in Nigeria.
 
Mr. Rutger-Jan van Spaandonk, executive director of Core Group Africa, the Value Added Distributor (VAD) and official representative for Apple Incorporated in Africa, is expected to be at hand for the official opening of the iStore in Lagos.