08 May 2017

Carolyn Everson, VP global marketing solutions (left) says Facebook wants to help SMBs grow locally and regionally across the continent. Also pictured is the company’s regional director for Africa, Nunu Ntshingila (middle) and Nicola Mendelsohn, VP EMEA.

Facebook says the number of people connected to its platform across Africa has grown 42 per cent since 2015 to reach more than 170 million monthly active users.

Of these, it says 94 per cent access the services via mobile devices.

“Facebook is deeply committed to Africa, a mobile-first continent where seven in 10 of all connected people use the platform,” says Carolyn Everson, VP of global marketing solutions.

“Many people in Africa are coming online for the first time, unleashing new possibilities for people and businesses alike. We’re also seeing growth of small- and medium-sized businesses that are driving economic development, companies that Facebook wants to help grow locally and regionally across the continent.”

As a result of the expansion, Facebook moved its Johannesburg offices into new premises.

Everson says the new offices are part of the company’s “ongoing commitment” to invest in the African market and work with innovators across its key target countries.

Nunu Ntshingila, Facebook’s regional director for Africa, reckons the firm has grown from “strength to strength” since first establishing a direct presence in sub-Saharan Africa in 2015.

“We have enjoyed working closely with entrepreneurs, partners, developers and small businesses as they have used Facebook as a platform for growth. It’s inspiring for us to learn from the continent and to play a role in helping people and organisations connect with the world,” she says.