A little over 10 years ago, in July 2014, Zambia became the first country to gain access to Facebook’s ambitious Internet.org initiative, a project aimed at bridging the digital divide by providing free access to essential internet services. The launch was a collaborative effort involving Facebook, Airtel, and local partners like Go Zambia Jobs, which played a crucial role in the initiative by offering free access to employment resources and job opportunities, a critical need in Zambia.
The Role of Go Zambia Jobs
As a leading online platform for employment and career resources in Zambia, www.gozambiaojobs.com was asked to be a launch partner of the Internet.org initiative. This new platform provided Zambians with free access to job listings, career advice, and educational resources through the Internet.org app. This initiative enabled job seekers to explore employment opportunities and improve their skills without incurring data charges, addressing one of the country’s most pressing challenges – unemployment. By facilitating free access to employment resources, we helped users enhance their career prospects and participate more actively in the digital economy.
The Vision of Internet.org
The Internet.org initiative, led by Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg, aimed to make internet access affordable and available to everyone. In his announcement, Zuckerberg emphasized the transformative power of connectivity, stating, “We believe that every person should have access to free basic internet services – tools for health, education, jobs, and communication.”
Launch Event and Global Perspectives
The launch event in Zambia was attended by key figures, including Cherie Blair, founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright. Blair highlighted the initiative’s potential to empower women by providing them with access to critical information and job opportunities.
Impact and Future Prospects
The Internet.org app in Zambia provided free access to essential services, including Facebook, Messenger, Wikipedia, BBC News, and Go Zambia Jobs. This suite of services was carefully selected to address the basic needs of users, from staying connected with loved ones to accessing crucial health and job information.
Whilst the roll of the initiative raised the issue of net neutrality, the launch of Internet.org in Zambia was a landmark event that set the stage for similar initiatives across Africa and the world.
Press & Media Articles
- Facebook expands Africa push (BBC)
- Facebook’s new mobile app offers ‘free basic’ internet services in Zambia (The Guardian)
- Facebook unveils free Internet app, starting in Zambia (Gulf Times)
- Airtel and Facebook partnership brings world first to Africa (Airtel)
- Introducing the Internet.org App (Facebook)