Twitter in Africa

July 2, 2015

There is one hashtag we are especially eager to see from Twitter — #OpeningInAfrica. In the same week that Facebook announced the opening of its first Africa office, we call on Twitter to do the same.

As a Twitter sales representative told us recently, “I don’t recommend using Twitter if you are trying to attract followers from Africa.”

The social media company recently came under fire for under-representing African-Americans in its US workforce. It could easily be criticized of under-serving its African users. As smartphone availability is booming in Africa, so is the use of Twitter – and the growth trajectory is following the trend of developed markets (here’s an excellent though outdated resource on How Africa Tweets). But right now it’s impossible for African Twitter account holders to advertise unless they operate in South Africa.

As a Twitter sales representative told us recently, “I don’t recommend using Twitter if you are trying to attract followers from Africa.” This is a problem. Social media channels are not just powerful tools for communications but they are avenues for growing a brand. Twitter can learn a lot from the Homecoming Revolution social media campaign #HeartAfrica – it’s time to show the love.