Facebook, through its global initiative Internet.org, is joining forces with Airtel to launch its game-changing service known as ‘Free Basics’ in Nigeria. This bold initiative aims to bridge the digital divide of the world by providing no-cost internet services to underprivileged groups and rural communities across Asia, South America, and Africa.
Recently, Senegal was added to the list of African nations benefiting from this transformative initiative, making it the sixth country to avail the Internet.org service. The Free Basics platform allows users to access vital services, even while offline, by collaborating with local mobile operators.
In a recent post on Facebook, CEO Mark Zuckerberg bolstered the importance of this service by citing the success story of Jobberman, a career site born in a Nigerian dorm by Olalekan Elude, Ayodeji Adewunmi, and Opeyemi Awoyemi. Today, Jobberman is amongst the top 100 websites frequented in Nigeria, and consistently receives up to 5,000 job applications daily.
Zuckerberg envisages that “Free Basics offers Nigerians—including 90 million currently offline—the opportunity to access news, health information, and services like Jobberman built by Nigerians and developers across West Africa — all without having to pay for data.”
Given that Free Basics is not exclusive, any mobile operator can integrate this service into their network using Facebook’s framework. An interesting statistic reveals that approximately 50% of users employing Free Basics go on to purchase internet services within 30 days, implying the service’s role in driving internet adoption and advancing digital literacy.
To accentuate this point, consider an ordinary Nigerian citizen, Tunde Musa Obinna. Once Tunde accesses a service using the Free Basics package on the Airtel network, it’s likely he will want to dig deeper. Since the site providing the service or information might contain more than he currently can see, he may be propelled to access the entire site, and subsequently, be more inclined to buy internet services. Network operators should consider this path towards monetizing the benefits of the program and reaching more potential digital citizens like Tunde.
Moreover, over 85% of the world’s population lives in areas with existing cellular coverage. However, mobile data can be a luxury for those who haven’t yet experienced the benefits of the internet. Nigeria’s fifth-largest mobile operator, Ntel, has recently launched with the promise of providing users with more affordable data options.
As of 2014, Nigeria, with its estimated population of 170 million, has witnessed the registration of over 130 million SIM cards. Most of these SIM card owners have access to core telecom services like voice calls and SMS.
Currently, Free Basics is operational in over 40 countries, with half of them being African nations. To ensure seamless internet delivery worldwide, Facebook is now harnessing cutting-edge technology, like drones and laser technology.
The pathway towards democratizing global internet access is far from easy. However, initiatives like these continue to inspire hope for a more digitally-inclusive future world.
[To delve more into how billing and costs affects internet service penetration, check this insightful piece here.]
Note: This article is reflective of the state of internet services and initiatives as of 2025.
Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems.
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