The Internet.org program, spearheaded by Facebook, has launched an application that offers free access to key online services to users in Zambia. This initiative addresses the 85 percent of the global population who are unable to afford internet data plans. Now they can use services such as Facebook, Messenger, Wikipedia and Google Search, along with local resources on health, employment, weather, and women’s rights, at no cost.
As a Facebook-led cooperative effort with various telecom companies, Internet.org first introduced this app in Zambia, in partnership with the local network provider, Airtel. Airtel facilitates the cost-free access, with the aspiration that Zambian users will eventually recognize the value of the internet and opt to purchase pre-paid data for further exploration through the app.
Internet.org has taken heat for appearing to prioritize Facebook growth under the guise of kindness. However, Guy Rosen, Internet.org product manager, refutes this claim and highlights that internet access can profoundly enhance individuals’ job prospects and educational opportunities in developing regions.
The aims of the app are two-pronged: to bring essential internet services to those unable to afford internet and to enlighten those unacquainted with the advantages of the internet. Airtel sponsors all the free access, utilizing this platform as a stepping stone to motivate users to transition towards paid data plans. Subscribers are alerted when they venture outside the free services offered, signaling that they require a data plan.
This endeavor aligns with a broader strategy committed to connecting the significant segment of the populace who currently lack internet access. It’s reported that the synergies of Internet.org with various carriers have enabled roughly three million people, previously without net accessibility, to connect online.
As Mark Zuckerberg contends, every individual deserves access to basic internet services free of charge. If this program thrives in Zambia, Internet.org intends to implement comparable initiatives across other countries in Africa, Asia, and South America.
Light edits were made in 2025 to improve clarity and relevance.
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Paul Femi Balo is the founder and publisher of TechBooky. He covers artificial intelligence, African technology, digital infrastructure, enterprise technology and the global digital economy.
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