Mobile phone maker Nokia is set to open a regional research center to study consumer behavior in low income communities.

The study is aimed at understanding the need of mobile users in Africa in order to creat concepts that address the needs of consumers.

The research Lab dubbed Nokia Research Africa is partnering with a local Non Governmental Organization and local universities.

The research team leader Jussi Impio said the research will help Nokia company to design products and services that are relevant and add value to the lives of the users.

Meanwhile another mobile phone company Mi phone says its market share is growing fast having sold out over 10,000 units in Kenya since it was launched three months ago.

In a statement, Mi says most of its customers are urban youth cell phone users.

"Within three months of launching, Mi has secured nationwide deals with leading distributors' FoneXpress@Nakumatt in Kenya, Melcom in Ghana, Cell 2 Cell in Uganda, Mauritel in Mauritius and Madagascar. Additional deals in Nigeria and Burkina Faso have also been tied up", it says.

Mi Global Sales Director, Alpesh Patel said: "The Q2 sales in our first operational period are unparalleled in the mobile market in Africa. Our success lies in rapid delivery to market. The Mi brand speaks directly to urban youth in frontier markets offering fashionable choices and affordability. We offer consumers affordable access to the jet-set world of glamour and style".

Patel anticipates further upswings in growth over the next two quarters as the current brand staple; the Mi200f colour/FM radio will flank the Mi300f as distribution extends to peri-urban and rural market segments.