I'm sure Twitter offers alot of value for the African people. I'm wondering if Twitter is already popular in Africa? Does anyone have numbers on Twitter usage in Africa? If you live in Africa, is Twitter an important communication tool? Do you see people using it a lot? Is it being used on Mobile Devices as well?
I don't leave in Africa right now, but i doubt if Twitter can be popular there. Maybe in south Africa or and other rich African countries. Many people fail to understand that Africa is a continent and has over 53 different countries!! Twitter may be popular in South Africa but not even known in Cameroon!!
Twitter surely offers good possibilities to communicate with a big bunch of friends or with family members living in distinct parts of a country. On a Mobile Device it can be a cheap alternative for text messaging. Since Mobile is becoming popular in Africa, Twitter could go the same way...
And Internet is being used in Africa more than we think... Oke, few people have a personal internet connection but Internet Pubs are immensly popular.
I am reading this post with a wry little smile on my face.... As waxman1000 pointed out, Africa is a continent with many distinct countries. In the Southern african countries there is huge usage of everything you would use. Particularly in South Africa (where I live) we are as western as anyone else. Take a look at some pics of Cape Town: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=cape+town&gbv=2&aq=f&oq=&aqi= and Johannesburg: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=sandton&gbv=2&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g10 as examples.... I have had many chats via skype etc with people further north in Africa, eg, Morocco, so I would imagine that internet and technology use is widespread through most of Africa... Anyway, the best way to find out is to come on over and visit the country. I promise, most of the rumours you have heard are incorrect: We don't have wild animals running down the streets, we don't live in little villages, we don't hunt for food. PS, I haven't seen it yet, but I'm guessing you'd get a good look of South Africa if you watch Invictus (directed by Clint Eastwood, actor Matt Damon (I think)). Invictus is a movie about South Africa winning the rugby world cup in 1995. It took place in Pretoria (the world cup, not the movie). I say all that to say this: I can't speak for the rest of Africa, but Follow me on Twitter!