
Free Basics by Facebook has partnered with local mobile technology for change incubator, the Praekelt Foundation.
The pair will support developers and organisations for social change in their efforts to create accessible online services designed by, and for, people living in the developing world.
The announcement comes ahead of AfricaCom 2015, which kicks off in the Mother City today.
Speaking at a media event yesterday, Ime Archibong, director of strategic partnerships at Internet.org by Facebook, described Free Basics as a programme that brings basic Internet services to people in the developing world without charging them anything for the data they use.
The Praekelt Foundation Incubator for Free Basics is a global partnership geared to support developers building applications and offerings for the Free Basics platform, he continued.
"We believe that access to information is a basic human right," outlined Gustav Praekelt, founder of the Praekelt Foundation. He shared his belief that by providing people with access to the right tools and knowledge through digital technologies and the Internet, you are also opening them up to opportunities that will make their lives better.
This conversation is not only about the technology, Praekelt continued, but also about how real people will actually use these services and the idea to empower people across the world by providing them with the right kind of platform to champion their great ideas. It is about having a real impact on the lives of people who are commonly forgotten, he noted.
To date, the Free Basics platform is available in 29 countries - close to half of which are located on the African continent. It provides people with access to basic services at no cost. These services include everything from news and health information, to travel, job opportunities and local government news.
Archibong outlined how important it is for individuals on the ground to create initiatives for problems faced by people in their own communities. And that is the aim of the Free Basics platform and the partnership with the Praekelt Foundation - to encourage developers to use the platform to introduce more people to the Internet by providing them with access to content that is relevant to them.
The Praekelt Foundation's incubator programme will provide support and resources to 100 independently-selected social change organisations. Come 2016, the insights and lessons learned through this programme will be shared with other organisations that can also benefit from innovations around mobile technology and improved connectivity.
"Connectivity matters," noted Archibong. "And true connectivity is about giving people the power to be more open to the information and opportunities that are available to them."
Developers interested in submitting their service to be part of the Free Basics Platform can learn more here. Register interest to join the Praekelt Foundation Incubator for Free Basics here.
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