Africa is projected to have 725 million smartphone users by 2020. As the digital revolution hits these developing markets, it’s crucial that app developers and tech giants focus their efforts on tweaking their apps to meet the demand. Faced with slow and intermittent internet connections, power shortages, and data expenses, data-light apps are proving to be the only way forward.
Google is already leading the way in aligning its Android apps to fit entry-level devices being used in emerging markets. The project, dubbed as “Build for the next billion users”, minimizes the size of an app so it can be downloaded quickly. It also ensures less mobile data is used and less device space is needed to store the app. Android is the most popular smartphone used in the developing world with over two billion users. By reducing the size of its Android apps, Google is now able to reach a whole new generation of users with fairly low-end devices.
Despite the rapid adoption of smartphones across the continent, almost half of Africa’s countries have experienced internet shutdowns in the past five years. Low and intermittent connections in emerging markets are not uncommon. Apps with reduced data dependency, or better yet, apps that can work offline, will see huge market penetration.
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