Yesterday I was at the iHub in Nairobi for Nokia’s launch of its local version of the “Create for Millions” mobile apps contest. The contest has both a local and global versions that aim to bring consumers and developers together to create applications for Nokia’s Series 40 mobile phones.

In light of the hyper-growth and interest surrounding smartphones globally, it’s very easy to forget that the majority of mobile subscribers in emerging markets such as Kenya cannot afford them. It’s for this very reason that entry-level phones such as Nokia’s Series 40 handsets continue to lead the market in terms of uptake and general internet usage as per statistics. Therefore, this is still a very large market for mobile apps, even as smartphones become more widely adopted.

The best thing about the local version of Create for Millions is that three winners will be chosen by a select panel of judges and they will be flown to London on an all expense-paid trip to attend Nokia World which will be held in October 26-27, 2011. Nokia has invited me to be one of the judges on this local panel so this is something I am really looking forward to.

The last day for entries in the local Create for Millions competition is the 2nd of September 2011 so there is not that much time left. One thing that left me thinking that Kenya could really win the global event is that VirtualCity did this last year and pocketed a cool US$ 1 million in Nokia’s Calling All Innovators mobile apps contest. It’s very possible!

So, if your that budding mobile application developer or a tech firm that has the chops to enter, good luck and give it a go by registering online at www.developer.nokia.com/create4millions/