Facebook has reported its increased infrastructure investments in Africa. Analysts predict that the technology investments are projected to lead to $57 billion in economic benefits between the year 2020 and 2024.
The Economist Intelligence Unit reports that an excess of 800 million people in Africa (Sub Saharan) have no access to internet, Inclusive Internet Index 2020.
Facebook has been at the front row in investing on partnerships which aim at expanding the infrastructure for internet connectivity. The technology is also addressing the issues of affordability, relevance as well as readiness for going online.
Facebook has reported its efforts in investing on submarine cables, edge networks, backhaul fiber investments with over 770 kilometres in Uganda and 800 kilometers in Nigeria which has enabled internet connectivity for 4 million people.
In South Africa, Facebook has enabled installation of 100 kilometers of fiber haul to increase Wi-Fi connectivity.
Facebook has been supporting mobile phone operators by investing on Express Wi-Fi products to increase access to networks for countries such as Senegal, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa. These investments are increasingly leading to a surge in overall internet usage.
There are many economic benefits associated with Facebook’s investments in Sub Saharan Africa such as the ability of mobile operators to expand their board networks and more people going online.
Increased internet traffic means that people will increase their interactions such as in trade, job creation, skills, productivity and education among others.
“At Facebook, we’re committed to Africa and role that we can play in improving the continent’s global competitiveness. Over the last three years, we’ve heavily invested in infrastructure and connectivity initiatives that aim to affordably connect people on this continent and create tangible socio-economic benefits. These efforts are part of a complex solution that requires all stakeholders – including mobile operators, infrastructure providers and governments- to work together for the common good.”
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