Emerging market-focused telecoms giant MTN has launched a $44.6 MTN Steppa Android touchscreen smartphone in South Africa to make smartphone ownership more affordable in the market.

Chief Sales and Distribution Officer at MTN SA, Farhad Khan said the Steppa “is the most affordable smartphone in South Africa, breaking the affordability barrier of smartphones to deliver internet access and a high performance mobile phone handset to South Africans.”

The Samsung Galaxy Pocket Plus, which is one of South Africa’s cheapest and highest selling smartphones according to retailer Cell C, costs around $70.

The MTN Steppa smartphone features a 3.5 inch touch screen display, EDGE network capability and a 2MP camera with video recording.

Analysts believe MTN’s cheaper product offering will help increase the number of smartphone owners and deepen internet penetration via mobile in South Africa.

MTN announced it’s latest product also comes with a standard free Social Networking Bundle for the first three months after purchase.