Perspective Chapter: The Use of Social Media in Sharing Information in Sub-Saharan Africa Region – The Types, Purpose, Benefits and Challenges

Abstract

This chapter discusses the use of social media in sharing information in the Sub-Sahara Africa region: The types, purpose, benefits, and challenges. However, the discussion on the above subject matter focused on Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the paper exploited empirical and theoretical literature written about the region to support the discussion on the basic concept of social media, the various types, and purposes of using social media, the importance of social media, challenges prohibiting effective utilization of social and way of resolving the challenges in Sub-Sahara Africa. More importantly, the paper discussion revealed the increased use of social media on health, agriculture activities, politics, etc. with Nigeria and Ghana at the top. The discussion also exposed the various challenges (Poor power outrage; Low level of technology development, Network hitches, High level of poverty, etc.) hindering the effective utilization of social media in the Sub-Saharan region of the world. Based on the challenges observed in the discussion, the paper outlined and discussed some ways of improving social media usage in the region