Internet in Africa: Social Media Week Lagos 2018- Moving Africa closer

I was privileged to be on a panel during the social media week event to discuss how social media can be used with tourism to develop local communities.

With over 1.2 Billion people in Africa, it's still unfortunate that only 25% of this population had internet as at 2016. However, it may also be seen as a progress if compared to the 10% of 2010 or 2% of 2005.

The rapid penetration of the internet in Africa has been a major factor for development around the content. Information can now be shared faster and easily accessible. To crown up this development, social media was developed. Creating a platform where information is not only shared but also, people connecting more with each other.

Nonetheless, to every advantage could tag a disadvantage - But I would focus more on the advantages.

Social media has been used for protest all over the world and also a tool to make the government more accountable, now, it is an obvious good to use this same platform to promote local communities.

As a traveler, it is advisable to post photos of places you visit on various media. This will not only help other travelers locate the destination but also help to promote the destination.

KEY SOCIAL MEDIA TO USE

1. Instagram - for pictures and short article
2. Twitter - for microblogs
3. Facebook - Pictures and Microblogs
4. Steemit - Blog

The session was graced by the presence of a King in Nigeria, his community host the only suspended lake in the world. You should take out time to visit Ado-Awaye in Oyo state NIgeria.