Social media giant Facebook has opened its first office in South Africa in Johannesburg.

Advertising veteran Nunu Ntshingila has also been named the new head of Facebook’s African office.

Facebook plans to use the Johannesburg office as a launchpad to grow the social media service in Africa. Facebook had 100 million users on the continent in September 2014.

Facebook also says that more than 80% of its African users access the social network via mobile phones.

“This momentum in Africa comes on top of strong advertiser partnerships and excellent adoption of our products across all regions. In Q1 2015, 52% of our total ad revenue came from outside the United States and Canada. But we’re just getting started,” said Nicola Mendelsohn, Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Facebook.

The social network initially plans to focus on growing its business in “anchor countries” in Africa such as Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

“Other supported territories include Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique and Ethiopia,” said Facebook in a statement. – Source: www.news24.com

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