Facebook to support tech ecosystem by opening second office in Africa
Facebook announced this week that it would be opening a new office in Lagos, Nigeria as part of the company’s continued commitment and ongoing investment in Africa.
The Lagos office would be Facebook’s second office on the African continent and is expected to become operational during 2021.
Facebook’s second African office to service continent
Facebook said in a press release that it would become “home to various teams servicing the continent from across the business, including Sales, Partnerships, Policy, Communications as well as Engineers”.
The Regional Director for Facebook Africa, whom I’ve had to pleasure to meet, said the team is “delighted to be announcing [the] new office in Nigeria”. Nunu Ntshingila adds:
“Five years on from opening our first office on the continent in Johannesburg, South Africa, we’re continuing to invest in and support local talent, as well as the various communities that use our platforms. The office in Lagos will also be key in helping to expand how we service our clients across the continent”.
Boosting the African tech ecosystem
In addition, Facebook’s Head of New Product Experimentation, Ime Archibong said it would present “new and exciting opportunities in digital innovations” in Africa for the rest of the world.
“All across Africa we’re seeing immense talent in the tech ecosystem, and I’m proud that with the upcoming opening of our new office, we’ll be building products for the future of Africa, and the rest of the world, with Africans at the helm”.
Archibong says the team is looking forward to “contributing further to the African tech ecosystem”. Facebook’s Director of Public Policy for Africa, Kojo Boakye adds that the new office “Nigeria presents an important milestone”.
The office also “further reinforces [Facebook’s] ongoing commitment” to Africa:
“Our mission in Africa is no different to elsewhere in the world – to build community and bring the world closer together, and I’m excited about the possibilities that this will create, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa”.
Facebook’s impact in Africa
Since the opening of Facebook’s first office in Johannesburg, South Africa, back in 2015, the tech giant has made a number of investments across the continent and continues to support the growth of local tech ecosystems.
Back in August, Facebook released Inspiring Changemakers: Book of Life & Business, a book featuring 13 iconic South African women. Facebook also supported SA newsrooms during the pandemic.
In addition to supporting over 900 businesses Nigeria and South Africa through the SMB Grants programme, Facebook also equips communities with training and funding through its Community Accelerator Programme.
Also read: Facebook investments in Africa will yield $57bn in economic benefits