Operators partner to fight grey products penetration in Nigeria

. Service provider to implement work-from-home policy on COVID-19

Operators in the electronic commerce and equipment manufacturing sectors have partnered to fight against grey products penetration in Nigeria.

The partnership, which is specifically between Konga and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Samsung, is to expand access to genuine products for millions of shoppers across Nigeria, while drastically reducing the penetration of grey (substandard) products in the market.

To this end, Konga is expected to deploy its considerable network of stores across Nigeria as well as its thriving online platform in making the products available.

Vice President, Konga Retail, Kalu Johnson, said: “We are delighted. This partnership with Samsung affords Konga huge leverage in reaching more shoppers with genuine products across the Samsung Electronics and Samsung Mobile categories. Indeed, it is an opportunity to put more of these exciting appliances, devices and gadgets at the reach of millions across our online channel and vast network of offline stores.”

Indeed, the partnership has been identified as one that will not only drive the availability of genuine products in Nigeria; but also one that will equally halt grey products and satisfy the growing appetite among shoppers for Samsung devices in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest market.

According to the Head of Consumer Electronics at Samsung, West Africa, Remi Ogunsan, “We are leveraging on the extensive retail presence that Konga has to ensure that customers have more access to our products that are not relatively everywhere. So, this partnership is to ensure that products that are currently being supplied by TD is available to the public.

“Konga is a major additional channel for us to grow and get to more customer touch-points. Konga is a nationwide platform so that is what we are also looking for; more coverage to reach our customers.”

On the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on stock outage, Ogunsan disclosed that effective measures have been put in place to forestall this development. As a matter of fact, she revealed that one of the strategies that Samsung has deployed is the siting of assembly plants in major hubs around the world.

Also, MTN has announced that following official confirmation of COVID-19 cases in some of their markets, MTN Group has taken a series of precautionary measures to ensure continuity of services and the safety of its stakeholders including employees, customers, communities and suppliers against the potential outbreak.

According to Ag. Public Relations Manager, Corporate Affairs Department, MTN Nigeria, Lakinbofa Goodluck, a key priority for MTN is to ensure business continuity.

“Our services over this time will be even more critical, so a priority is ensuring network continuity, availability of spares and equipment and the upgrading of capacity. We wish to assure our stakeholders that the implementation of precautionary measures will have a negligible impact on our operations. We need to “keep the connectivity lights on for our customers at all costs.”

Goodluck said the firm has installed thermal scanners at MTN office facilities, as an early detection method for testing body temperature and enhanced hygiene measures including hand sanitizers in all our offices.

He said the implementation of a work-from-home plan for employees has also been implemented. In addition, “we have placed restrictions on all international travel and also reducing, wherever possible, domestic travel, as we continue to monitor the situation.”

The MTN Chief said the firm encourage its employees, stakeholders and customers to remain calm and take the necessary precautions as outlined by the medical fraternity to minimise the spread of the virus.

“COVID-19 is, unquestionably, testing our society. We continue to monitor the global situation closely and strictly adhere to the recommendations of relevant international authorities such as the World Health Organisation and the local departments of health,” he stated.