Why Mali has its own homegrown version of Facebook

Lenali is a social media app created for non-literate, oral-based communities

In 2017, it was reported that Facebook had 170 million users in Africa — seven out of every 10 Africans on the internet log into Facebook.

Platforms like WhatsApp, Viber and Instagram have become vitals tools of communication: for news, elections and, of course, selfies. Social media companies are eyeing Africa as a big growth market, with Facebook set to launch its first community hub in Nigeria this year.

However, platforms like Facebook largely center on written posts and conversation, as well as video. For those in the continent from oral-based, spoken language (non-literate) communities with little formal education, these platforms can be inaccessible.

This is the case in Mali, which has one of the lowest literacy rates in Africa at below 50%.

Malian entrepreneur, Mamadou Gouro, 44, is attempting to fill the social media void there by creating Lenali app, an oral-based platform.

“Lenali is the first social network in the world that uses local languages and vocal abilities. The reason for the app is that in Mali, for instance, only 20% are accessing these social networks,” Gouro claims. Continue reading

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