In 2015, Al-Shabaab terror groups began to cut mobile internet in areas it controls in southern Somalia - perhaps acting as an inspiration to African governments. (AU UN IST PHOTO/ David Mutua)

The Digital Enemy: Why Are African Governments So Afraid Of Social Media And The Internet?

The list of African countries that have blocked access to social media and the internet during elections and other politically sensitive periods is growing; there were at least 16 instances last year alone.


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A guide reads his phone message as the crowd watches the dhow race at the 2010 Lamu Culture Festival. (Photo/ Flickr/ Xiaojun Deng)

Mobile Phone ‘Addiction’ In Africa Is Serious Business, Like Going To The Office

More than half of mobile users in five African countries check their phones within five minutes of waking up. But there’s more to that story.


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The iHub in Nairobi, an innovation and business space for technology enterprenuers. Data hunger in Africa will only get deeper in the coming years. (Photo/iHubFlickr).

‘Money Ain’t A Thing’ For Data-Hungry Africans, At Least Let It Be Fast And Reliable

Mobile network subscribers in countries surveyed view the actual or perceived reliability, coverage and speed of the voice/data network as the most important criteria for choosing an operator; price comes fourth


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Isibaya is a South African show produced by Multichoice/ DSTV, intended to last only a year as a telenovela. But it garnered so much support from viewers that it was extended into a full soap opera. (Photo/ Facebook/ Isibaya Mzansi Magic)

Africa on Twitter: Top Trends in South Africa, Jan – Jun 2016. Radio, TV And Parties Top

On South African Twitter, the top 10 trends are shared almost equally between radio shows and television shows. One is a weekly party held on Sundays – and that gives us a small hint about South African ‘celebrity culture’


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Twitter and radio intersect: Protestors in London demand the release of leading member of the Biafran independence struggle and director of the London based Radio Biafra, who was detained in Nigeria on 18 October 2015. (Photo/ Flickr/ Alisdare Hickman)

Africa On Twitter: Top Trends In Nigeria, Jan – Jun 2016, Where Radio Rules

Almost all of Nigeria’s top trends (nine out of the top ten) were related to radio shows. Radio commentary lends itself well to the social banter and chatter that characterises Twitter