While studying psychology at Harvard University, Mark Zuckerberg, 23, founded Facebook, an online social networking site for fellow Harvard students, on 4 February, 2004. A keen computer programmer, Mr Zuckerberg had already developed a number of social-networking websites for fellow students, including Coursematch, which allowed users to view people taking their degree, and Facemash, where you could rate people’s attractiveness.
Gradually, Facebook expanded to the people of Boston, and moved on to increase its membership to the entire USA and the whole world.
Today, Facebook is the world’s number one social networking site, with over 1.55 billion monthly active users.
Today as Africa joins the world in celebrating Facebook’s 12th anniversary, we take a look at the impact it has had on the continent.
To begin with, Facebook has offered massive employment opportunities to people around the continent, both directly and indirectly. In 2015, the social networking site opened its headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, directly employing very many people. Also, through Facebook, many others have been employed by various companies and organizations to handle their presence on the site.
Other than creating employment opportunities, Facebook has also launched an interesting project that will provide free internet access to people in sub-Saharan Africa. The giant company has teamed up with French satellite company Eutelsat (ETCMY) to launch a satellite that will provide internet access to the people in sub-Saharan Africa. The satellite will launch this year and service will start in the second half of the year. It will reach 14 countries in West, East and Southern Africa.
Facebook (FB, Tech30) will use the satellite to bring free Internet access to rural areas. The company is using satellites, lasers and drones to get the “next billion” people around the world online as part of its Internet.org initiative. It has already connected people in nearly 20 countries.
Another interesting project by Facebook is that the company takes part in direct development agenda in various countries around the continent. In Kenya for instance, Facebook sponsored a dairy project in Cherangany constituency, which is represented in Parliament by Hon. Wesley Korir, more known for winning multiple marathon races. Through Facebook sponsorship, Cherangany has also started a micro-financing project for dairy farmers, who are able to acquire loans and repay over an agreed period of time, at their convenience.
Africa therefore celebrates Facebook’s 12th anniversary with great optimism for its relationship with Facebook going into the future.
