Impact of Social Media Platforms in West Africa
As the internet continues to change the world for the better, especially on how we communicate and share information, Africa is also using the opportunity provided by the new technology of information and communication to push for outstanding change.
Though social media might be a distraction to many people, it still remains one of the most effective channels for small businesses to promote their services and products. Over recent years, social media networks have become business advertisement and growth tools for those who want to reach their targeted consumers as widely as possible.
Here, popular social networks have an average of 1 million registered users and more than half of them visit the platforms every day
As the internet continues to change the world for the better, especially on how we communicate and share information, Africa is also using the opportunity provided by the new technology of information and communication to push for outstanding change. West African countries are not left out in this new trend, and social media is known to play important roles in their business development.
Popularity of Social Media in West Africa
Social media is truly transforming the mode of communication in West Africa, and there has been so much talk about this remarkable evolution over recent times. It has continued to have major influences in people’s lives regardless of age, including contributing immensely to business growth. Social media networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram are known to be having a great impact in several areas of day-to-day activities of the population.
While a large number of people see social media as a channel only to chat live, send messages and share photographs and videos, many others are exploring its other importance to market their services and products. Generally, the popularity of social media in Africa could be attributed to a wide use of cell phones starting from the mid-1990s. Today, over 18 million Africans are using Facebook for various purposes, including business development.
How Social Media is Shaping Businesses in West Africa
The population of West Africa currently stands at over 362 million and the economy is growing steadily. Just like every region in the world, internet technology is taking over virtually all aspects of life in West Africa, including advertising businesses on social networks. Social media is considered the future of marketing and one of the most cost-effective ways to promote your business.
Small-scale business owners are using these platforms to increase brand and service awareness by reaching targeted customers across the world. Besides Facebook, Twitter and other popular social networks, some local social networks in West Africa have a huge number of users and helping entrepreneurs promote their online campaigns.
Nigeria's population, for example, is making remarkable use of social media in business development. Here, popular social networks have an average of 1 million registered users and more than half of them visit the platforms every day. However, with the economy of most West African countries depending on small-scale businesses and entrepreneurship, social media has been playing vital roles in helping people achieve their goals.
Furthermore, social media for businesses in West Africa isn't just to share information and to connect people, but a strategic platform to build customers' relationship, as well as to drive sales. More so, it is creating job opportunities as people are now acquiring social media management skills for professional purposes.