After visiting Nigeria, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg decided to make a surprise visit to Kenya this week on his first trip to Africa. Today, he used his time in the country to visit the iHub. meet with developers and partners, and explore how the country’s pioneering mobile money ecosystem is evolving.
Zuckerberg is meeting with developers and partners, and exploring how the country’s pioneering mobile money ecosystem, which he has shown so much interest is evolving. He is in the country to see how technology innovation is changing the country, learn more about what mobile entrepreneurs are doing with the latest technology, and find out how Facebook can better support small businesses, developers and content creators across growing markets.
He was particularly excited to see how mobile money and social media are driving commerce in the country and creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and communities.
“Just landed in Nairobi! I’m here to meet with entrepreneurs and developers, and to learn about mobile money – where Kenya is the world leader” says Zuckerberg. “I’m starting at a place called iHub, where entrepreneurs can build and prototype their ideas. Two of the engineers I met, Fausto and Mark, designed a system to help people use mobile payments to buy small amounts of cooking gas, which is a lot safer and better for the environment than charcoal or kerosene. It’s inspiring to see how engineers here are using mobile money to build businesses and help their community”. he posted on his Facebook page.
He later had lunch with Information and Communications Cabinet Secretary Joseph Mucheru where they talked about internet access and his ambitious plans for connecting everyone in Kenya.
