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List: Social networks used in Africa

October 25, 2009  »  Uncategorized174 Comments

No longer updated regularly as of 2015.

Apart from Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, a multitude of other social networks are growing in popularity and have the potential to draw new users online. African social networks popular in Africa include:

  • hi5: Popular throughout much of the world
  • Netlog: A blogging service available in dozens of languages
  • Skyblog: A French blogging site, popular in North Africa
  • Badoo: Multi-cultural site, claims over 46 millions users
  • AfricanZone: A general social network, founded in 2008
  • African Path Village: Runs on Ning
  • Blueworld: South African community
  • East African Tube: Based on YouTube
  • NaijaBorn: A new Nigerian community site
  • PlentyAfricans: Still in Beta mode (remains in Beta as of early 2011)
  • JuJuNation: Video social network
  • Sembuse: SMS mobile network with 1000 character limit
  • Maneno: A promising minimalistic blogging platform that offers a variety of languages. Still in Beta stage
  • Afrigator: A blog, photo, and video sharing network based in South Africa
  • Gatorpeeps: A social community located at Afrigator that shares similarities to Twitter
  • Kenya Social Network: A Kenyan version of Linkedin
  • Gnaija: Nigerian social network
  • Naijapals: Nigerian social network
  • Zoopy: A South African social video site with a vibrant look

Updates:

  • Bongoline: Since July 2010, this social network has aimed to connect Tanzanians.
  • Swahili Nation: “For anyone who loves Africa (nearly 72,000 members)”
  • Star53: An integrated social platform with the intention of encouraging communication and African development
  • Veepiz: “Developed by East Africans, this site is a social community and news/marketing outlet”
  • Ghana Nation: A forum layout with 28,000+ members
  • KokoLiko: Chat with over 4,000 Ghanaians
  • Ghanastation: A networking site with a business slant. Integrates with Facebook
  • SkilledAfricans: The first African Business Network, with over 50,000 members. Similar to LinkedIn
  • Whive: Kenyan social platform connecting people through SMS, Facebook, and mobile
  • Viadeo: A business and career network site, started in France and popular in Europe and developing nations
  • Afroterminal: African social, business, entertainment, and information Network that connects those at home and abroad
  • Camerborn: Cameroonian social network
  • AfricanWeb: New as of mid-2011, AfricanWeb connects Africans and their friends. Has a business-intent and free webmail
  • Pulse: Educationally-inclined social network about to go live in late 2011. Founded in Buea, Cameroon
  • 1PlusAll: Social network that gained 1,500 users in its first 72 hours in July 2011. Based in Nigeria, but has a global following.
  • Amunzi: Zambian-based social network that integrates with Facebook. In Beta stage.
  • Zaamani: Promotes the use of indigenous African languages on the web, along with social and professional interaction between Africans and the world.
  • Ugandan Facebook: A Facebook clone started in October 2011 for Ugandans.
  • Bandeka: An invite-only online community where well-educated Africans can connect with other equally successful professionals.
  • NaijaVideos: Easily share and view Nigerian videos.
  • SAMDB Film Social: Social area of the South African Movie Database for those involved in the SA entertainment industry
  • Faceafrika: Social networking site dedicated for Africa and Africans Diaspora. Registered in Ghana.
  • Eskimi: Lithuanian-based mobile flirt site which reports 2.2 million users in Nigeria and over 250 000 users each in Ghana, South Africa,Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
  • OshareK: Egyptian social network started in late-January 2012
  • Atinsa.net: Site for Beninois to socialize via groups, photos, and videos
  • Who’s Who in Kenya: the leading global professional networking guide is now online
  • Yookos: an “Africa-specific” social media network claiming 6 million African users
  • LeAfrique: a business networking startup
  • Nam.na: “Network with Namibians”
  • Caligros: new social network that resembles Facebook
  • Yaalda!: connect and expand with IT enthusiasts
  • Konekt Africa: online community that connects and shares with Africans all over the world
  • Ndubana: An Africa professional social network
  • FriendzDiary: A Nigerian-founded social diary network that gives you the opportunity to connect with friends and loved ones
  • Afrifaces: Connects Africans home and abroad in African and around the world. Users can even earn money by socializing.
  • MamboPoint: East African social network still in Beta. Share events and connect with friends.
  • Afriuka: The largest African diaspora social platform in Europe.
  • Yaalda!: To reduce the digital divide in Africa.
  • Beeptool: A ‘special environment’ that brings networking possibilities together on one platform
  • Yarnme: Nigerian online forum.
  • Zim Professionals: An online community connecting Zimbabwean professionals, university students, and talent.
  • FrienditePlus: Nigerian social network with hundreds of thousands of users.

Please add any services that are not on this list.

network

174 Comments »

  • tpradebe says:

    It’s not about the social network but the community and what it brings to people. streemout.com does almost what google+, twitter and facebook does but it takes away the information overload and it brings old school social networking which takes work out of networking and bringing fun back. games, chatrooms, chats, beauty, cleanliness

  • tpradebe says:

    streemout.com

  • friendly user says:

    most hosting companies and cdn not located in africa except south africa and tanzani so most network pages dont load fast .sahara Q&A ,dedicated to education found at http://www.kirijo.com or http://www.1sahara.com.
    this is not facebook clone focuses on education (asking questions and answers ) rather than friendships.no user base yet .

  • friendly user says:

    kirijo.com ,includes user based dictionary of dieing languages ,fulfulde . may be other dieing african languages will be added later. includes mobile,touch mobile and ipad interfaces . english french and arabic languages

  • Beeptoolâ„¢ says:

    check also http://www.beeptool.com

  • Enoh says:

    BEEPTOOL is a special environment that brings networking possibilities together on one platform for the Africans people.

    Check it out at http://www.beeptool.com

  • oAfrica says:

    Thanks for sharing. Great design too!

  • Tsitsi Matope says:

    I am learning how to maximise utilisation of the social media (web 2.0), an online course facilitated by CTA and UNITAR. It’s interesting to see and know so many social platforms which we can all use to connect for the betterment of various aspects of our lives and also countries- Tsitsi Matope- Maseru-Lesotho

  • In the next update do not forget adding Elitehive.
    The fasted growing social network in Africa.
    Its located at http://www.elitehive.com

  • jbadams says:

    to complete your list, http://www.linkexpats.com it’s a networking website for expatriates and foreigners…