Samsung Plans $20M TV Factory in South Africa

Due to the rising demand for consumer goods in Africa, electronics giant Samsung has revealed plans to build a $20 million (R220 million) TV factory at the Dube TradePort in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.

In a statement, Samsung said: “We plan to start construction of the TV plant in South Africa in the latter half of the year. The investment will be $20 million through 2018.”

The Dube TradePort is an airfreight logistics hub located near the King Shaka International Airport and 30 km north of Durban. The area has been highlighted as a special economic zone, to help boost investment in the country.   

The South African factory will be Samsung's second in Africa. The first, located in Beni Suef, Egypt, began production in September 2013.

“While demand for flat-screen TVs has flattened due to the rise of tablets and smartphones, Samsung believes it can awaken idling demand for premium TVs from affluent African consumers,” reported the Korea Times.

“As the TV markets in North America and Europe are heading towards full saturation, Samsung needs to explore new markets. The South African factory will mainly produce TVs with ultra high-definition (UHD) picture quality.”