Political anxiety over social media in Africa to grow

Subject

Outlook for social media in sub-Saharan Africa.

Significance

Across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in recent months, several high-profile protests have been coordinated using social media platforms, including the #ThisFlag demonstrations in Zimbabwe and opposition unrest following Uganda's presidential elections. This is spurring governments to tighten rules governing online platforms and content, and block platforms such as Twitter and Whatsapp.

Impacts

• Opposition activists will increase use of virtual private networks to circumvent blocks on censored websites.
• Initiatives such as the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation will help governments to police online content.
• Nevertheless, some Western donors will continue to sponsor initiatives, such as radio call-in shows, encouraging free speech.
• Clampdowns on social media will mainly affect political mobilisation in urban areas, for now, given poor rural internet penetration.
• Unit and subscription-related costs for web-enabled phones will continue to fall, increasing social media usage.