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Feb 13 2019
Facebook Africa: Building Community and Bringing the World Closer Together
Facebook’s mission is a global one: to bring the world closer together and give people the power to build community. But bringing that mission to life varies across different parts of the world. At Facebook Africa, we’re working to include more people from the continent in the global economy and empowering Africans to unlock their full potential.
In Africa, bringing the world closer together begins with a fundamental first step: creating the foundation to bring more people online in a region where infrastructure and affordability are two key barriers to accessibility. With that critical piece in place first, Facebook is invested in working closely with communities across Africa. We offer training resources to support individuals and businesses with the tools to grow, but equally important is connecting, listening and learning with communities on the ground. Challenges here are far from trivial, as individuals and businesses navigate the challenges of decades long colonialism and its impact on society.
To address these challenges, our team works to introduce products that are tailored to the diverse nuances of the region. Tackling obstacles requires coordination with various organizations including civil society, media agencies, businesses, NGOs and policy makers as well as the individuals who will ultimately benefit from greater connectivity and access.
We spoke with three Facebook Africa team members to find out more about the powerful, purpose-driven work they’re doing and how they came to join Facebook Africa.
Nunu N., Country Director, South Africa
“I had a fantastic career in media and marketing before I joined Facebook. I’d held senior positions at global companies, but I felt I had reached the limit of what I could accomplish in the marketing world. Once I fully understood the role technology could play in solving problems that are unique to Africa, I knew I found my next challenge. Joining Facebook allowed me to become a part of a movement, maybe even a revolution. I get to aid the digital transformation of African businesses, empowering them to realize sustainable economic growth and establish connectivity with other African communities—and with the rest of the world.
At Facebook, we’re also passionate about enabling women to grow their personal economies and mobility, which are efforts very close to my heart. One way we’re doing that is by partnering with the Women’s World Banking Council to enable greater financial inclusion, providing women with better access to their own finances through technology. We hope to bring more financial services to women so they are empowered to build their own small businesses and thrive in their own right. In the last three years, so many women have been brought online which in turn drives local economies and makes a world of difference for families across Africa.
“As a whole, African businesses and individuals have huge potential beyond current borders—many of these borders they didn’t create. Working with a highly autonomous and driven team at Facebook Africa, I get to be part of fast-paced, challenging, inspiring and rewarding work that is making a difference. You really do feel the mission of the company come alive when you’re here; you see the connectivity efforts, and it’s very fulfilling.””
Proud D., Strategic Product Partnership Lead, Middle East & Africa
“After graduating from Harvard, I worked at a media company for eight years where I focused on creating a storytelling platform to give Africa-based businesses a voice on the internet. There were many parallels to Facebook’s mission of bringing the world closer together, but with Facebook, I saw an opportunity to get even more involved and effect change by sharing frontier technology across the continent.
Facebook offers businesses and individuals an entire menu of products, but not all products will work for businesses or individuals across Africa. For example, Instagram might be a great way to promote a medium-sized business, but the data required can be a barrier to use for certain communities that simply don’t have the infrastructure in place. I spend a majority of my time meeting with business owners and individuals to better understand which products and tools would be the best fit for their needs. That starts with understanding the unique challenges—and also the strengths companies have across different regions. I work hard to make sure people understand the value of Facebook, especially in areas where connectivity is very new to them.
My day-to-day stays pretty interesting. It could range from leading a augmented reality hackathon with developers in South Africa to talking to business leaders in Nigeria or Kenya about how they’re thinking about integrating technologies like mobile payments, advertising or commerce. Regardless of who I am talking to, my first priority is to make sure I am continuously educating people and not letting the region fall behind when it comes to technology. Being part of Facebook in Africa, I have the opportunity to help people imagine the reality of how technology can impact their business and their lives. That is very joyful for me.”
Ebele O., Public Policy Director, Africa
“I’ve always been very mission and purpose driven, but it wasn’t until a few years into my law career that I felt compelled to pursue work more aligned with my personal values. I joined a large tech company, where I could combine my legal background with my personal passion for human rights. There, I grew increasingly passionate about making an impact in Africa and started seeking volunteer opportunities in the region. After a couple of serendipitous events, I joined Facebook as Public Policy Director of Africa, where I’m lucky to get paid to do meaningful work I would have gladly done as a volunteer. I have the rare privilege to use my professional training to improve the lives of others.
Africa represents a big opportunity to build local and global connectivity, which is at the heart of Facebook’s mission and a key draw for me personally. Facebook is designed to amplify voices and share stories without gatekeepers. As more people and businesses join Facebook, a focus for me is to champion the creation of content and the diversity of content created and shared on the platform.
This ties closely with helping shape policy in the region, by collaborating with a variety of different people and organizations. We host regular Q&As, and often receive a lot of valuable feedback. I spend time absorbing what I’ve heard and creating a thoughtful, actionable response. Sometimes, we hear there’s a better approach to something we’re doing. Other times, we need to explain our approach and why it matters. To us, it’s critical to maintain this open dialogue to learn from one another and move toward a common goal. We’re cultivating a tech-powered community in Africa, and it’s a privilege to play a role in such a rewarding and inspiring journey.”
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