Facebook launches Coronavirus Information Centre in 17 African countries

Facebook users can opt in to follow the centre to get notifications and see updates in their News Feed from official government health authorities

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 9, 2020/ — Facebook is expanding its Coronavirus Information Centre to 17 more countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Information Centres form part of Facebook’s effort to help the global fight against COVID-19 by providing people with the latest news and information from trusted health authorities as well as resources and tips to stay healthy and support their family and community.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Centre is featured at the top of News Feed, that provides a central place for people to keep informed about the Coronavirus. It includes real-time updates from national health authorities and global organisations such as the World Health Organisation, as well as helpful articles, videos and posts about social distancing and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Facebook users can opt in to follow the centre to get notifications and see updates in their News Feed from official government health authorities.

The centre has already launched in South Africa, it will now be expanded to the following new sub-Saharan African countries:

Benin
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Chad
Côte d’Ivoire
Ethiopia
Gabon
Guinea
Kenya
Mali
Mauritania
Nigeria
Senegal
Seychelles
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Togo

Facebook’s Head of Public Policy, Africa, Kojo Boakye comments about the expansion; “We’ve built the information centres, in collaboration with national health partners, to ensure that people can get access to information from trusted health sources. The launch of the COVID-19 Information Centre on Facebook in more than 17 countries across sub-Saharan Africa aligns with our commitment to making accurate, timely information about the pandemic accessible to all communities.”

Report distributed by APO Group on behalf of Facebook.