Facebook’s Internet.org now rolls out in Kenya, after Zambia and Tanzania

Facebook’s Internet.org now rolls out in Kenya, after Zambia and Tanzania

In its attempt to get more people online, Facebook has extended its free internet service through the Internet.org app into the Kenyan market. Kenya becomes the third African country after Zambia and Tanzania to benefit from Facebook collaboration with local telecoms to provide affordable internet access.

Facebook’s Internet.org began in Zambia after the social network giant partnered with Airtel Zambia and  later Tigo telecom in Tanzania. It has now partnered with Airtel Kenya to avail the Internet.org services to Kenyans on the Airtel network.

Airtel Kenya made the announcement that it will avail the Internet.org app to both prepaid and post-paid customers across Kenya, starting later this week. The app will give users access to locally relevant digital content at completely no charge and hopefully enable more people to get online.

According to Aidil El Youssefi, CEO at Airtel Kenya, these moves comes on the backdrop of a growing need among the youth, “who are in constant need to access the internet.

Through Facebook’s Internet.org app, Airtel customers using mobile internet-capable devices will now be able to access a set of free services in categories such as health, education, sports, jobs and local information. This demonstrates Africa’s increasing relevance and contribution to the global innovation map.”

The VP of Internet.org, Chris Daniels added, “We can make a big impact by making the internet accessible through this set of free basic services, which we hope will ultimately lead to more people coming online.”

Through the Internet.org app, Airtel Kenya subscribers will have free access to BBC News, Daily Nation, AccuWeather, Brightermonday, Facts for Life, Jamii Forums, OLX, Messenger, Toto Health, Wikipedia, Wattpad, Girl Effect, BabyCenter & Mama and Ebola Information.