To help its teeming followership across Africa express themselves in far more diverse ways than hitherto available, global leading tech and social media platform Facebook has launched Avatars in Africa to provide alternative modes of expressions online. The Avatars are digital personas that enable people to engage across Facebook and Messenger in a more personal and dynamic way.  You can use your personalised avatar to share a range of emotions and expressions via a digital persona that is unique to you.

There are many ways you can use your avatar including in comments, Stories, Messenger and soon, text posts with backgrounds too. With so many emotions and expressions to choose from, avatars let you share your authentic reactions and feelings with family and friends across the app. You can customise your avatar with hairstyles, complexions, outfits, COVID-19 support stickers and more. To create your avatar, go to the Facebook or Messenger comment composer, click on the “smiley” button, and then the sticker tab. Click “Create Your Avatar”.

According to Nunu Ntshingila, Regional Director, Facebook Africa, “Facebook is home to some of your most personal content and we want to allow people to share and react to that content in the most personalised way possible,” adding that “we’re excited to give people more options to convey their identity on Facebook, allowing them to share in a more personal, light-hearted way.” Avatars include hundreds of global sticker packs and integrations with GIF providers and can also be shared across Facebook and Messenger by Setting as Profile Picture, Sharing to News Feed, and Using on Gaming Profile.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry