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Browser developer Opera has announced that its new chat service Hype which is built into mobile web browser Opera Mini, is now available in Kenya as a pilot market for the service.
The Integration of Hype in the Opera Mini browser will provide users with a personalized, engaging browsing experience that enables seamless surfing, chatting and sharing content without compromising speed or driving increased data consumption.
According to a statement, Kenyan users can immediately set up their Hype accounts and start chatting with secure end-to-end encryption.
The launch reflects Opera’s emphasis on investing and growing its digital ecosystem in Africa, with the goal of bringing more people online. Since 2018, the company has grown its user base in Africa by 40%.
Commenting on the launch, Charles Hamel, Product Lead for Hype said, “Chat services and browsers are apps people use every day and feel very personal about. Hype was developed first and foremost with African consumers in mind.”
“Today, 40% of the Kenyan population has access to smartphones, with younger generations dominating as 75% of their 47 million inhabitants are under 30 years old,” added Hamel.
The company believes that with such early adopter demographics at play, there is massive potential for the growth of Hype in Kenya.
The introduction of Hype in Kenya is part of Opera’s Africa First business strategy, adopted three years ago. The strategy consists of four main pillars:
1. Develop products with African consumers in mind.
2. Invest and grow Opera’s digital ecosystem in the African region to bring more people online;
3. Partner with leading global and regional companies.
4. Employ and collaborate with African colleagues and stakeholders.
In Q4-2020, the Opera user base reached 380 million monthly active users (MAUs) worldwide, with nearly 150 million MAUs based in Africa. Since the announcement of Opera’s Africa First strategy in Q1-2018, Opera has grown its user base by 40% in the African region.
This rapid growth in the region has given Opera a unique position to scale its digital ecosystem infrastructure and leverage its brand awareness and recognition.
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