Lenovo plans to launch its smartphone products in the African market before the end of 2013, and the Chinese company's smartphone debut will be in Nigeria.

According to reports in Chinese local media, Graham Braum, general manager for Lenovo's Africa region, said that the reason for selecting Nigeria, instead of South Africa, as the first stop is because there is no need to cooperate with a local operator to sell mobile phones in Nigeria. South Africa is the largest economy in Africa, followed by Nigeria.

Oliver Ebel, general manager and vice president for Lenovo's Middle East and Africa region, revealed that Lenovo will sell six different smartphones at varied price levels in Nigeria, and the most expensive one is nearly USD500.

Ebel also said following the entry into Nigeria, Lenovo plans to develop the Egyptian market as a part of its expansion plan in Europe.