The net neutrality debate aside, Airtel Africa, has launched Free Basics in Nigeria in partnership with Facebook to allow anyone in Nigeria with an Airtel mobile connection to access Free Basics services freely.
Such services include health, education, jobs, and finance. Airtel Africa will also be offering Facebook Flex in Nigeria, which allows people to access a version of Facebook without data charges.
According to Segun Ogunsanya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria: “Today marks a significant milestone in our nation’s drive towards deepening digital connectivity and enhancing mobile broadband access for millions of Nigerians in line with the key objective of Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (NBBP). It is our belief that this partnership, the first of its kind in Nigeria, will create a plethora of opportunities for millions of Nigerians, empowering them to connect to their dreams, realize their full potentials, and succeed in their professional and personal endeavors.”
Airtel Africa has worked with Facebook since 2014 in enhancing accessibility to the internet in an affordable manner through the launch of Free Basics in Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Seychelles and Rwanda. With the launch of Free Basics in Nigeria, millions more people will have the ability to access basic services.
At the launch in Nigeria, Free Basics has more than 85 services included and it aims to sign up more basic services to people in Nigeria.
