The internet has become a means of communication that we have all come to depend on so much, sometimes even addicted to! The growth of internet usage in Africa has outgrown all expectations, with hundreds of millions of users today, and still counting.
There are many reasons why the Wide World Web has become so popular. One of the reasons that have fueled the increase in internet usage is the introduction of social networking. Thanks to the rising access to computers and internet enabled mobile phones, internet usage in Africa is growing quite fast. There are many social media platforms online but Facebook remains the social network to beat, with users in the neighborhood of one billion all over the world.
Facebook in Africa
With Africa being home to approximately 1,073,380,925 people, a good-sized chunk of Facebook users in the world come from this continent. Despite hardships experienced in the technology sector, Africa still manages a clean 15% of internet users. More than 30% of the people who use the internet in Africa use Facebook to connect with their kith and kin. Apart from using Facebook for the obvious connection purposes, internet users are now using this effective communication tool to get information on products and services. Whats more – the auto industry is now gone online, with dealers and car makers having realized that the real buyers first look for information online.
Facebook and the Automotive industry
As the Infographic below shows, the number of Facebook users interested in automobiles in Africa is very encouraging, especially with the low internet usage in mind. The interested group is made up of individuals that will search for automobile dealers or brands to get more information, online. With more than 3 million Facebook users interested in automobiles in Africa, this is a clear indication that this social media site carries a large number of potential customers as far as the automotive industry is concerned.
What do the numbers mean?
Numbers are in themselves useless unless they have meaning. In the above graphic representation, the numbers are important because they point to several crucial factors. In a nutshell, the statistics presented point to a very efficient and effective marketing tool, that is, Facebook! By taking a look at the numbers of Facebook users interested in the automotive industry in relation to the internet users in Africa, you will realize that the numbers are quite impressive. Albeit not well distributed across the African states, the interested users are bound to increase with the growth of the communication industry in the continent.
Conclusion
In business, the rule is that you take your business where the customers are; and if the social media is the new market place for vehicles, then vehicle dealers are expected to use the numbers and include Facebook in their marketing strategies to reach the customers and prospects. Africa is a growing economy and every market has a possible expansion space, which is why the growing trend of Facebook marketing in the automotive industry remains the perfect weapon in the fight for African customers among vehicle manufacturers.
