Canalys: Samsung dominates African smartphone market, Tecno in second

The African smartphone market is one that still has much room for growth. The continent is yet to be focused upon as a major goal by most OEMs but sales numbers by Canalys already show Samsung's dominance over the region.

According to Canalys's report, Samsung shipped 3.4 million units in that market, up 42% from the 2.4 million shipped within the same period in 2017. Tecno comes in second with 2.8 million, itel in third with 2.0 million, Huawei in fourth with 1.1 million, and Infinix in fifth with 1.0 million.

While Samsung does have the lead on paper, it's important to note that Tecno, itel, and Infinix are all companies under one banner—Transsion. If all three are considered sister companies, that places Transsion at the top of the market comfortably with 5.8 million units shipped.

Devices like Tecno and Infinix have grown in West and East Africa over the last few years, mostly due to the fact that their parent company was one of the first to make its way into the market.