Kenyan Wins Global Nokia App Contest Award

Kenyan Wins Global Nokia App Contest Award

James Mwai presentation during Mobile Monday event at the iHub in Nairobi.

A Kenyan has won Sh8million (75,000 euros) after his mobile application was voted the best in one of the categories and shared the top spot in another category with a Colombian in a global developers’ contest. Mr James Mwai beat hundreds of developers around the globe with his application dubbed ‘AroundMe’ in the Nokia Create for Millions challenge ‘I know’ category.

The winners of the contest that attracted over 1,200 submissions were announced at the Mobile World Congress 2012 which is underway in Spain. His application is said to be one of the most popular Kenyan apps in the Nokia Store having attracted over 250,000 downloads.

Nokia’s President and Chief Executive told participants at the conference that his company was pursuing partnerships with application developers to have their creations on its platform to help boost its status as the third ecosystem after apple and android.

“We are looking for ways of monetising these applications. Already we have put in place about 150 operator billing points across the world,” Mr Elop said. Mwai’s application beat the ten other finalists shortlisted in the ‘I Know’ category. AroundMe assists users to find businesses and services in their vicinity or any other location with a Nokia phone.

In addition to the prize money, the winning apps will be promoted globally in various Nokia-owned channels. The developers will also receive a free user experience consultation from Nokia. Winners will also receive support from a top design agency to create Spotlight banners featuring the winning apps. Via Business Daily.