Facebook launched its Free Basics services in Nigeria yesterday in partnership with Airtel Nigeria at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Free Basics by Facebook provides free access to basic internet services to over a billion people around the world.

Following the launch, the company organised a Fireside Chat at the iDEA Hub, Lagos, to talk about the values presented by Free Basics to business and product developers ‎across Nigeria.

“Our mission is to connect the world, and important partners in making this possible are the local developers and ecosystems we work with around the world,” said Ime Archibong, Facebook’s Global Director of Product Partnerships.‎ “We believe that local entrepreneurs and developers will be the ones to meet the needs of their immediate community, and that’s why I am here in Nigeria spending time with developers to know how we can support them in doing so‎.”

The session was anchored by Bankole Oluwafemi of TechCabal and attended by developers across the country.

Free Basics launches in Nigeria with more than 85 free services dedicated to health,  education, jobs, and finance. To date, Facebook estimates that its connectivity efforts, which include Free Basics, have brought more than 25 million people online who wouldn’t be otherwise.