Social networking: has been around for a long time. It simply means the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighbourhood subdivision in such a way that they are able to communicate, interact and expand in number, in today’s world, “it’s the use of a dedicated website to communicate informally with other members of the site, by posting messages, photographs, etc” Global social networking brands are continuously gaining prominence in Africa, by region the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America will see the largest growth rates in 2013, if you are a social media marketer, you need to consider this very seriously.
Social Media and Social Networks are growing very rapidly and are becoming a very important part of our lives, but One needs to acknowledge the fact that social media goes beyond Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and some of the popular Blogs out there. Anytime Social media is mentioned, these global sites are what comes to mind but there are more, if you’re looking to branch out into something that is more localised or regional, there are few other social media sites that are very good you may want to explore.
Why not take a look at this list of the top 10 social networks that I can bet you are unlikely to have come across. Earlier, we compiled a list of Social networking websites used in Africa which comprises of both regional and international websites, feel free to explore and post your comments
MXit
MXit which originated from South Africa is Africa’s biggest social network today claiming up to 10 million active users in South Africa, with 50 million registered users worldwide. According to Alan Knott-Craig Junior, CEO of MXit, The website receives between 35,000 and 50,000 new registrations daily – with traffic coming mainly from African and developing countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Indonesia. Figures from Social Media Landscape report byFuseware and World Wide Worx in 2011 show that 40,000 South Africans register on MXit every day with less then 4,000 daily registrations coming from outside South Africa. 
Yookos
Yookos which stands for You Own Your Kosmos is a Nigerian social networking website officially launched in January 2011. It has over 10 million registered users as at January 2013, The website was developed by a team of member of Believers’ LoveWorld Incorporated (also known as Christ Embassy), a Christian ministry founded by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome PhD, the idea was to create social network for members of Christ Embassy to connect with Pastor Chris to receive prayer points in a global prayer campaign, the website now has presence in presence in over 160 countries. 
Eskimi
Lithuanian-based mobile flirt site which reports 2.2 million users in Nigeria and over 250 000 users each in Ghana, South Africa,Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
LAGbook
LAGbook (or Ladies And Gentlemen book) is a social networking website based in Africa specifically targeted at the youths between the ages of 18-30, the website was founded by two Nigerians, Chidi and Chika Nwaogu in 2010, it currently has over 1,000,000 registered as at the time of this writing, the social network has described itself as “a social network focused on expanding social experience of people and giving them an incentive to do what they love doing the most – making new friends”
As at March 2013, the US and Nigeria accounted for about 70% of LAGbook’s registered users with India, UK, Canada, Ghana, Germany, Philippines and Spain forming the big part of the top 9 countries with the most LAGbook users.
Bandeka
This is an invite-only online community where well-educated Africans can connect with other equally successful professionals, Bandeka is adapted from ‘bandika’ (Swahili for ‘connect’).
Afro Terminal
Afroterminal is a social network where Africans at home and abroad meet and make friends, this website was founded by two Nigerians: Chioma Anyanwu, a successful chartered accountant, and Charles Akpom,an MBA grad from the University of Bedfordshire, Afro Terminal is a merger of two words: “Afro”, an acronym for Africa and “Terminal” According to Forbes, Afroterminal currently boasts of members from about 50 African countries, and its members live in over 164 countries across the world.
East African Social Network
East African Social Network is designed to be a ‘social Relationship Manager’ that will empower East African members to connect, socialize and share their ideas, culture, personal and business connections in order to strengthen the communication that happens between people.
Blueworld
Blueworld is a South African social community where you can create a customizable online presence for yourself and meet new friends. Blueworld features a number of interesting interactive functions from chat room to mini blogs, profiles and videos.
Motribe
This website enables users, brands, agencies and publishers across the world to build and manage their own mobile social communities. It is situated in Cape Town, South Africa and was started by the co-founders in August, 2010.
AfricanPlanet
This membership driven website is for Africans and friends of Africa, it’s aim is to bring Africans all over the world together under one platform. The websites also features news, blogs and articles emerging from the continent of Africa. There are lots of other social networks outside what I’ve listed here, if you know of any one please feel free to post them in the comments section below
Credit:http://techtalkafrica.com
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