Troubled BlackBerry maker sees Africa potential

(AP)—The company that makes BlackBerry smartphones is looking to Africa to help its troubled sales.

Officials with Toronto-based Research In Motion Ltd. told journalists in Lagos on Tuesday that its handsets are the No. 1 choice among those using smartphones in Nigeria and South Africa. Officials say that in Nigeria alone, its phones represent one out of every two phones in the market, an incredible grip on the market of Africa's most populous nation. BlackBerry phones remain such a pop culture fascination in Nigeria that it spawned a popular local film "BlackBerry Babes."

RIM regional managing director Robert Bose said the company hopes to build on that popularity. However, the phone manufacturer is beginning to face the same competition here that's seen its market share drop in the West.

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