SMS is still the most popular means of communication in Africa due to scarce access to the internet. And while there's a growing number of smartphone users, the figure's still low compared to other markets. So why has WeChat invested $3.4 million in African technology start-ups?

The number of internet users in Africa has grown at seven times the global average, growing over 3,600% between 2000 and 2012 to 167 million people. With the internet now reaching more people than ever before, being online is no longer a luxury, but a norm.

Chinese TV channels and news publishers have been extending their corporate reach across Africa for the past decade. Now, analysis into its effect on the African media landscape shows that the Chinese presence on the continent is shaping the tone and philosophy of its journalism.

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi is launching a pair of top-end smartphones in select countries in sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. These regions have been chosen for this expansion thanks to their strong economies and prolific internet usage. But is there enough of a gap in the market?