Facebook Launches Free Internet Browsing In Nigeria

Free Basics is an initiative by Facebook and several other partner companies to deliver zero-rated internet services to the 4 billion-odd people still offline.


Facebook reaches out to local telcos and get them to zero-rate certain sites and services that meet Facebook’s criteria. “Free Basics offers Nigerians, including 90 million people who are currently offline, the opportunity to access news, health information and services like Jobberman that were built by Nigerians and other developers across West Africa — all without having to pay for data,” Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg said .

 Airtel is Facebook’s telecoms partner in Nigeria. As a result, Nigeria will now 37 countries with Free Basic-activated countries. “We’re pleased to take this big step forward in our partnership with Facebook, bringing more people online in Africa’s most populous country and helping to further narrow the digital divide,” said Airtel Africa CEO, Christian de Faria about the partnership