Nokia today launched the Nokia Life in Kenya as it aims at connecting ‘the next billion and beyond’.
First introduced in India in 2009, Nokia Life services is a life improvement information services suites designed for people in fast growth, emerging markets and delivers tailored, locally relevant content in local languages and works on a wide variety of Nokia mobile phones, without the need for internet. The service will be available to Safaricom and Airtel subscribers only.
Already active in Nigeria, the service is also in use in China and Indonesia.
Users get daily tips and actionable advice on education, health, infotainment and agriculture, delivered to millions of people. The firm says Nokia Life services has been experienced by over 95 million people in 18 local languages, through content co-developed by more than 90 knowledge partners including academics, local and national governments and NGOs.
The expansion to Kenya recognises a significant opportunity to reach a young and aspirational population, for whom the mobile phone is an essential, everyday tool. Nokia Life is an easy-to-use service, delivered as richly formatted messages to engage people, facilitate learning and help bridge information gaps that impact their quality of life. In Kenya, Nokia Life will offer a full suite of services under the Education, Health, Spirituality and Entertainment categories.
These include services like Learn English, developed in partnership with the British Council; Life Skills, developed with Foundation for Social Change; and Parenting Advice, developed with Plan International.
“Access to information and knowledge is key to unlocking opportunities for youth and overall progress in society,” said Jawahar Kanjilal, Global Head of Nokia Life. “We are delighted to introduce Nokia Life to Kenya with its rich set of relevant services that will help users connect easily to information that matters to them, and in the longer-term, help entire communities thrive.”
Nokia Life will be available starting next month. Nokia Life services will be available free of charge for an initial 30-day trial period, with the option to subscribe monthly for as little as 2 Kenyan Shillings per day, to receive messages on a daily basis. The service will be available in both English and Swahili languages.
