Twitter Establishes African Headquarters in Ghana

Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, revealed the company’s plans to establish a continental presence in Africa through a recent tweet. He expressed gratitude to Ghana and its President, Nana Akufo-Addo, in his announcement.

Expanding Operations in Africa

According to an official statement released by Twitter, the company is actively assembling a team in Ghana. This strategic move aims to foster deeper engagement with the diverse and dynamic communities fueling conversations across the African continent.

A variety of positions are currently available, spanning crucial departments such as product development and engineering, alongside roles in design, marketing, and communications. Initially, these positions will be filled by remote workers, with future plans to establish a physical office location within the country.

Ghana's Alignment with Twitter's Values

Twitter highlighted Ghana’s commitment to democratic principles, including the support of free speech, online liberties, and an open internet – values that strongly resonate with Twitter’s own core beliefs.

Furthermore, Ghana’s recent selection as the host nation for The Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area was cited as a key factor. This appointment aligns with Twitter’s broader objective of building a regional presence to enhance and customize its services throughout Africa.

Dorsey's Previous Visit and Subsequent Engagement

This announcement follows nearly 18 months after Dorsey’s initial visit to Africa with the Twitter team in November 2019. During this tour, he engaged with industry leaders and technology stakeholders in Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa, discussing topics related to Twitter and bitcoin.

Dorsey initially intended to reside on the continent for six months starting in mid-2020, but those plans were disrupted by the onset of the global pandemic.

Recent Partnerships and Continued Interest

Despite the pandemic, Twitter continued to engage with African communities. In September, the company forged mental health and cultural partnerships with local organizations, including Afrochella and The HackLab Foundation in Ghana, Amref Health Africa in Kenya, and Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) in Nigeria.

In October 2020, Dorsey publicly voiced support for protests against police brutality in Nigeria and championed the use of bitcoin during the demonstrations. While his focus appeared to be on bitcoin activities for some time, today’s news clarifies that establishing a stronger connection between Twitter and the African continent remained a priority.

This development signifies a long-term commitment from Twitter to the African market and its vibrant user base.