ICTworks by Inveneo

The fine folks over at oAfrica have complied the Facebook growth rates for the last 18 months and they are stunning.

But before you get too excited, they also put these numbers into perspective by comparing the total number of Facebook users to the total populations of African countries. When you look at these numbers, FB's growth is great, but still quite lacking in mass adoption. Here are some highlights worthy of a raised eyebrow:

18 month user growth rate in selected countries

• Nigeria 154% increase to 4,369,740 FB users
• Ghana 85% increase to 1,146,560 FB users
• Kenya 50% increase to 1,298,560 users

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Facebook adoption across Africa

• 37+ million Facebook users as of December 2011
• 165% median Facebook user growth since July 2010 (114% mean)

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Penetration rates across Africa

• 2.4% median Facebook penetration rate (3.6% mean)
• 36 nations have fewer than 1-in-20 people on Facebook
• 12 nations have fewer than 1-in-100 people on Facebook

.

Another way to look at this is that with Nigeria's growth at 150,000 new Facebook users ever month, it would take 4 years to reach everyone in Nigeria, if the 154% growth rate remains the same. But it will probably slow dramatically as oAfrica projects:

Facebook adoption in Africa, although rapidly increasing within most nations at the moment, is starting to slow in more developmentally-advanced countries. Even if Facebook user growth rates settle at 25% annually, it could be ten years until Kenya boasts 30% of the population on Facebook. In 17 months, Kenya’s Facebook user rate has gone from 2% to 3%. South Africa’s is near 10% after increasing from 7%. This growth rate of 50% over 17 months for Kenya and South Africa – which we deem “mature” – suggests the challenges large nations face providing affordable Internet and connecting rural areas. Plus, even when Internet access is available, not everyone wants to use Facebook.

What to make of this all? Facebook is a growing presence in Africa and it is an online juggernaut. But African countries have a long way to go before all their people can get online and enjoy the FB experience.

South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya will be the key players in the African ICT sector in the next five years. A survey conducted by Africa Business Panel among 800 business professionals involved with Africa shows that these 3 countries were earmarked as the continent’s favourites when it comes to the future of the ICT sector.

Ghana, Egypt, Rwanda, Botswana, Angola, Uganda and Zimbabwe are the runners up and complete the top ten countries out of 53 economies on the African continent.

Virtually all African economies show promising year-on-year growth. This is attracting the attention of the international investor community who increasingly see Africa as ‘the last frontier’ for attractive growth opportunities. Research and numerous survey results among the international investor community consistently indicate that investors expect over half of the ten fastest growing economies in the world in 2011 to be African.

The Africa Business Panel has published a month-on-month Africa Business Confidence Index since January 2011. The index results for Africa based on surveys of 800 business professionals from more than 30 countries on the continent consistently show growth. Calculations are based on the purchase managers index methodology used globally.

The outcome of the business confidence index for the African continent is consistent with the trust of the international investor community. The manufacturing business confidence index for June is 53.9 and for non-manufacturing 60.4 for the same month. Any number over 50 indicated growth.

The top-10 key players in the African ICT sector in the next five years

1. South Africa

2. Nigeria

3. Kenya

4. Ghana

5. Egypt

6. Rwanda

7. Botswana

8. Angola

9. Uganda

10. Zimbabwe

“South Africa is far ahead in ICT technology, infrastructure and culture. It can only continue to grow barring any economic shocks.

Nigeria is rapidly growing rapidly its ICT culture and infrastructure. Power continues to be a challenge but, as always, Nigeria has the population to support most of the business opportunities available and at play. Kenya is increasing its ICT footprint too and, has a some local innovative talent to drive some heavy growth in the sector,” says Whenkeremma Okezie, CEO at Geomarine Systems Limited in Nigeria.

“I’ve been looking at the figures of BPO’s coming up in Kenya and it’s phenomenal. It wouldn’t be possible without the ICT investment that’s being put into the country’s different sectors.

Rwanda is a country that has shown hunger for anything that can boost its growth and the government has lent the ICT sector a hand by partnering with not-for-profit organizations that have shown interest. South Africa has the largest resource base in the continent and would not hesitate to use it in an industry with such promise,” says James Njoroge, Financial Consultant at Pan Africa Life Assurance Limited in Kenya.

“South Africa has always been number one in innovations in Africa. The country is stable politically and financially, thereby making it the first destination for foreign partners seeking low-risk environment. It’s citizens also seem to be ICT savvy.

Nigeria on the other hand would have been number one, if it had a semblance of political stability. The mind-burgling 150million population still makes the country difficult to resist for investors because of the amount of traffic you could generate from such huge population. Nigerians are quite business savvy.

Ghana is more like a rising South Africa, with a very stable political and economic system. The country also boasts a far better security position than the two countries earlier mentioned,” says Caesar Onejeme, Business Development at Fleet Technologies Limited in Ghana.

Source:http://www.itnewsafrica.com/2011/07/who-are-africa%E2%80%99s-ict-key-players/

Facebook users in Africa

Woohoo! It seems that Facebook has noticed that Facebook usage in Africa is doubling every 7 months and are looking for someone to help them manage and expand that stellar adoption rate.

Growth Manager Africa - Contract (Nigeria or Kenya)

Are you passionate about making Facebook the best global communication platform? Facebook is seeking a Growth Manager who is obsessed with technology, social media and business strategy.

The ideal candidate will have experience in the consumer Internet and mobile space in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, an extensive network of contacts in the space and a heavy emphasis on marketing, strategic analysis, product management and is a great executor who can make things happen.

The Growth Managers at Facebook are responsible for supporting the execution of growth initiatives, identifying growth opportunities that help with the distribution of the Facebook brand online and offline and adding value to the Facebook user experience. The position is a 6 to 11 month contract position based in Lagos, Nigeria or Nairobi, Kenya.

I love the responsibilities they list:

- Drive local execution of growth initiatives
- Provide market insights – identify and monitor strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relevant for Facebook’s adoption in Africa
- Influence and Improve the Facebook experience of users in Africa by identifying product / market fit gaps
- Explore, Identify and Evaluate strategic growth opportunities
- Manage mobile, media and developer partnerships
- Be an advocate for developers and for users in Africa

That is so general that anyone in ICT4D could apply. In fact, here are the full job opening details - you should apply today!

In what may be a shock to some, Web Trends Nigeria says there is now a legal distribution infrastructure for Nollywood content internationally. IROKO Partners is small dedicated company of 32 staff based in Lagos and London who are passionate about financially supporting African culture.

They provide distribution, rights management and marketing services to Africa’s many regional movie industries, including Nollywood Love channel on YouTube:

Here is what IROKO Partners say about it:

We love Nollywood movies and want to spread them around the web. For Free.

Whaaaaaaat? For Free?

Yes for free. We have a partnership with YouTube which enables us to run adverts alongside or inside the movies you are watching. This means we will be able to ensure a film is free for NollywoodLovers globally.

Do we buy movies legally? A little clarification. Firstly. Yes, yes and yes! we have invested tens of thousands of dollars buying the right to stream movies on YouTube and the internet. These are multi year contracts which go directly to the film production houses. This is very different and many times more expensive than what used to happen (buying a market copy and simply uploading and sharing), and is patently illegal.

So enjoy the best in Nigerian film - I sure am!

AllAfrica is reporting that Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim has restated the commitment of the Federal Government to establish a Ministry of ICT while receiving the Executives of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS).

Senator Anyim disclosed that an experienced hand in the ICT industry would head the ministry to give it the required leadership, and assured members of the Nigeria Computer Society that government would partner with them in the areas of research and development of the ICT sector.

Earlier, president of NCS and Chairman of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Tizhe who led the delegation congratulated the SGF on his appointment and urged him to use his good office in facilitating the speedy take-off of the proposed ministry of ICT, and commended the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for the decision to establish the Ministry.

I guess that settles it - we are in the ICT sector, not IT sector.