TECNO has launched a new set of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in Kenya designed to work directly on smartphones without requiring internet connectivity, targeting students, small business owners, and families struggling with high data costs and unreliable network coverage.
The company unveiled the tools at the University of Nairobi, positioning the move as part of a broader push to localise AI technology for African users and expand access beyond premium smartphone markets.
According to TECNO, the new system allows users to perform tasks such as studying, managing business records, translating information, and accessing health guidance directly on their phones, even when offline.
“AI should not be only for expensive devices. It should help a student revise, a trader track sales, a parent translate information, or a creator make better content,” said Elvis Ndekwe. “Our goal is to make AI simple, useful, and available to more Kenyans”.
The launch comes amid growing concerns over the cost of internet access and smartphone usability in emerging markets. A report by research firm Omdia found that high mobile data costs and weak internet signals continue to limit the adoption of advanced digital services among many Kenyan consumers.
To address this challenge, TECNO said it built the AI tools to run “on-device”, meaning the phone processes requests locally instead of relying on cloud servers that require constant internet access.
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The company says the approach will allow users to continue accessing AI-powered services even without airtime or active data bundles, a move expected to appeal to price-sensitive consumers and informal sector traders.
Under the new system, small business owners can use AI-powered financial support tools that automatically analyse payment messages and SMS notifications to generate sales records and M-PESA-linked summaries without internet access.
For students, TECNO introduced the Ella AI assistant, which can convert lengthy documents and YouTube videos into concise study notes, effectively acting as an offline digital tutor.
The platform also includes healthcare support features offering voice-guided wellness information in local languages to help families access basic health guidance without travelling to health facilities.
TECNO further said the AI system has been trained using local language patterns to recognise Swahili, Sheng’ and common Kenyan code-switching habits where users mix English with local languages in one sentence.
In photography, the company introduced a “Universal Tone” feature aimed at improving how smartphone cameras capture darker skin tones under different lighting conditions, addressing a long-standing criticism of global smartphone imaging software.
The launch signals increasing competition among smartphone manufacturers seeking to localise AI products for African markets as demand grows for affordable digital tools that can function effectively in low-connectivity environments.
