The use of smartphones in Africa has exploded, and African data usage is set to grow even further in the coming years. But what does this mean for African enterprise? Can smartphones help to boost business in the continent as mobile networks grow? Why can African phone users get so many benefits from social networking? Answers to all these questions here: http://www.amgoo.com/blog/social-networking-on-smartphones-african-enterprise-future Mobile networks in Africa are busily expanding, making the switch from call & text, to data use. As 3G (or 4G) networks start rolling out around the continent we're seeing huge numbers of local users increasingly enjoying using smartphones, many of which are now within their price range. As mobile internet users increase, the use of social networking is also increasing, and why not? Social networks like Facebook, Linkedin, and Google + are popular around the rest of the world, so understandably the African people are also enjoying using them. The difference between African countries and the rest of the world is that most of their online activities take place on mobile devices, simply because there are few static internet connections (such as having a broadband connection at home). In fact it can be said that Africa, perhaps surprisingly for the Western world, is leading the charge of switching from fixed to mobile internet use! This won't surprise Africans at all, as their vast continent with many remote locations relies on mobile internet as having fixed lines is simply not logistically possible. According to Jon von Tetzchner, co-founder of Opera, the world's most popular Internet browser for mobile phones, "The widespread availability of mobile phones means that the mobile Web can reach tens of millions more than the wired Web, and the mobile Web is beginning to reshape the economic, political and social development of the continent."

1. Why Social Networking On Smartphones Is African
Enterprise's Future
amgoo.com /blog/social-networking-on-smartphones-african-enterprise-future
Jul 4, 2014 12:30:00 PM
The use of smartphones in Africa has exploded, and African data usage is set to grow even further in
the coming years. But what does this mean for African enterprise? Can smartphones help to boost
business in the continent as mobile networks grow? Why can African phone users get so many
benefits from social networking?
Mobile networks in Africa are busily expanding, making the switch from call & text, to data use. As 3G
(or 4G) networks start rolling out around the continent we're seeing huge numbers of local users

2. increasingly enjoying using smartphones, many of which are now within their price range.
As mobile internet users increase, the use of social networking is also increasing, and why not? Social
networks like Facebook, Linkedin, and Google + are popular around the rest of the world, so
understandably the African people are also enjoying using them.
The difference between African countries and the rest of the world is that most of their online activities
take place on mobile devices, simply because there are few static internet connections (such as having
a broadband connection at home). In fact it can be said that Africa, perhaps surprisingly for the Western
world, is leading the charge of switching from fixed to mobile internet use!
This won't surprise Africans at all, as their vast continent with many remote locations relies on mobile
internet as having fixed lines is simply not logistically possible. According to
Jon von Tetzchner, co-founder of Opera, the world's most popular Internet browser for mobile phones,
"The widespread availability of mobile phones means that the mobile Web can reach tens of millions
more than the wired Web, and the mobile Web is beginning to reshape the economic, political and
social development of the continent."
How Do Smartphones Impact On African Enterprise?
When we consider social networking we first of all about think about fun, contacting our friends and
sharing pictures. But in fact these days social networking is big business, with companies spending
billions of dollars to advertise on them. In 2014 it's predicted that mobile advertising spend will increase
by 75% to around US$31.5 Billion, and in a continent where most internet users access it on mobile
devices you can then start to see why smart phones and social networking will really impact upon
business for Afrcan phone users.
It's important to understand that many of your subscribers will already be using apps like 'M-pesa' to
make and receive payments, and the next logical step for their business is to use social media to make
connections, and potentially pay to advertise to find clients too.
First of all your users need to be able to get their hands on inexpensive well-equipped smartphones,
and then they will be able to take advantage of social networks for their businesses.
Where will your users be logging into though?
1. Facebook
The king of social networks, it's predicted that Facebook will have around 21% of all online advertising
budgets spent on its platform in 2014, and since it has over 52 Million active users in Africa there are a
wealth of advertising possibilities for African businesses to find new local clients by purchasing ads.
It's the most popular app in Africa, and even without spending money on ads your users can join

3. groups and have their own business pages, all of which can be administered from mobile devices, to
find clients for free.
2. Linkedin
Not every social network is about fun, as Linkedin is strictly business. It's quite understandable that
skilled African people will take advantage of Linkedin to make new contacts, find clients, or even get a
new job. But to keep the wheels of African industry turing they will need access to low cost data
packages and also smart phones. Let's not forget as well that, although more expensive than
Facebook, Linkedin's ads are very effective at finding the right people for you.
Skilled Africans is another similar Africa-centric business network worth looking out for too.
3. Twitter
Twitter is a massive hit around the world, and it's very easy to search and find people tweeting about
whatever your business is engaged in. African users are attracted to its simplicity, ease-of-use, speed,
and the fact that it's now possible to advertise there too.
Not only can you advertise to the right people, but you'll also be able to track your success using their
platform too.
4. YouTube

4. Whilst not a conventional social network, YouTube is invaluable when it comes to showcasing your
products or service to your market and the world. It's also possible to advertise here using Google's
adwords, and make new connections by starting conversations and specific channels. Making videos is
within anyone's reach, and YouTube even has its own video editor built-in, so expect to see more
Afrcain data usage going this way.
5. Blogging
Again, a blog isn't a social network, but combined with social networks your blog can be a very strong
way to advertise products, cement your position as an expert, and meet new clients. Blogs can be
created on mobile devices, and then shared automatically onto Facebook and the like, so as long as
the devices you offer have big enough screens, getting your users into blogging can be a great USP for
them.
Blogging is free using Blogger, Tumblr, Wordpress, Squarespace, and also netlog (which has some
African languages supported).
Operator Takeaway:
With the growth of mobile advertising, and the boom in use of mobile devices to access the internet in
Africa, the continent is ideally poised to take advantage of social media networks to enhance results for
its enterprises.
Your users will need low cost smart phones, low cost data plans, and some guidance on which social

5. networks they could use to boost their businesses. Why not produce a flyer, e-book, or poster
suggesting some apps to educate them and add value to your phones and network?
Your Turn...
Are you using social networking for business in Africa? Do you spend money on mobile ads? Would
you like to start? Which networks do you prefer, and why? Let us know by leaving a comment!
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