As part of efforts to increase internet connectivity in Nigeria, Tizeti has teamed up with Facebook to expand Wi-Fi service to individuals and businesses in Lagos state and later across the country.
Tizeti made the announcement at the recently concluded AfricaCom 2017, in Kigali, Rwanda. The partnership will leverage Facebook’s Express Wi-Fi which was launched in 2016, in few parts of the commercial city of Lagos, Nigeria.
In an emailed chat with BusinessDay, Tizeti explained that Express Wi-Fi in Nigeria is focused in areas where people gather and work, including markets, cafes, and public outdoor spaces. Anyone with a Wi-Fi-capable device and the ability to receive a one-time SMS will be able to use Express Wi-Fi without switching SIM cards or having a data plan. People can connect through Express Wi-Fi on most Android and iOS phones, tablets, and laptops.
“Express Wi-Fi aims to reduce barriers to connectivity such as limited infrastructure and high data costs, giving more people, such as small business entrepreneurs and developers, the opportunity to connect and build community,” said Uche Ofodile, regional Head of Africa, Express Wi-Fi by Facebook, in a statement. “We are excited to partner with Tizeti to expand access in Nigeria and roll out hotspots in the coming months.”
Individuals and businesses can connect to the public Wi-Fi hotspots through the various “affordable” plans that range from N50 for 100MB to N2, 000 for 10GB.
The statement also noted that anyone connected to an Express Wi-Fi hotspot can access Facebook Flex and Free Basics which offers people access to impactful local services, including health resources, education and business tools and more.
“We look forward to launching this partnership with Express Wi-Fi which allows us to continue our mission to bring affordable and reliable internet to more Nigerians,” said Kendall Ananyi, CEO of Tizeti.
Facebook has launched the Express Wi-Fi in five countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, India, and Indonesia.
