Public chats made possible in Middle East, Africa with Viber

Viber, one of the leading messaging and calling apps with more than 664 million users worldwide, launched its latest social channel, Public Chats, Tuesday on the African continent.

Viber users can have “public chats” or live discussions to like and share with their community. This feature, released in beta version in November 2014 with select global partners, offers a new social experience, entering into live conversations not just with family and friends, but also with celebrities, personalities, brands and organizations.

Mobile users can discover new communities, follow real-time interactive chats and share original content with others.

“The Middle East and Africa are important markets for Viber, and we are pleased to welcome local influencers and brands to our Public Chats platform,” Mark Hardy, CMO, Viber, said. “We are sure they will enjoy chatting, commenting and debating live on this active social channel whilst sharing tips, news, and local content to our constantly connected mobile audience across the region.”

Selected partners in Africa and the Middle East-- and in key markets, such as South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Egypt -- have joined together for this regional launch of Public Chats in a bid to be the first participants to offer local conversations on Viber.

Using the Viber Public Chats explore page, African users can now follow their chosen celebrity or brand, such as Senegalese singer Youssou NDour.

“The Viber Public Chats channel will enable my fans to follow in real time my music and artistic activities; it will also represent an opportunity for me to engage in discussions designed to forge a peaceful and open world,” said Ndour.

In addition, Jumia, the leading e-commerce platform in Africa, recently opened Public Chats in Egypt and Nigeria and were previously one of the first partners to join this social channel in the Middle East and Africa.

 More Jumia Public Chats are expected to open on the African continent in the near future.

 "We are really excited with this partnership,” Jeremy Doutte, CEO of Jumia, said. "As new African customers discover the Internet first through their mobile, we want to address them wherever they are. Viber is a mobile first company with an outstanding reach in Africa. Jumia is also a mobile first company and the first online shopping destination in Africa. Joining forces will enable both Viber and Jumia to deliver quality content and good vibes to our users."