More than 120 million people across MENA access Facebook each month

Celebrates first Facebook ‘Friends Day’ on company’s 12th anniversary Facebook MENA expands team and office to serve community

Dubai, UAE, February 6, 2016:  Facebook in the Middle East and North Africa announced today that as of December 31, 2015, more than 120 million people in the region used it every month. Of those, 110 million active users access the site through mobile devices. Across MENA, almost 83% of people come back to Facebook every day and almost 79% do so on mobile. Today Facebook MENA also announced a further expansion of its regional presence to serve its community here. 

When people connect, powerful things can happen and lives can be changed. To help its community in the region and around the world celebrate the importance of connecting and friendship on its 12th birthday, Friends Day highlights friendships on Facebook and the memories shared. Each year Facebook celebrates its anniversary, February 4th, and invites the world to celebrate and reflect on the importance of connecting. This Friends Day, take a moment to connect with your friends and follow Friends Day videos on Facebook using the hashtag #friendsday.

Jonathan Labin, Head of Facebook MENA, said: “Through the last 12 years, we have seen people connect in big and small ways using technology. Today, as we reflect on our journey, being able to serve our community in so many ways is what we’re most proud of. We are focused on serving our community and connecting the entire world. And a big part of connecting the world is helping our community in the MENA region connect in this new mobile-first world.” 

Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected and since 2015, the community globally and in MENA has grown. Last year, Facebook saw diverse global moments where people from all over the world connected around moments, from Star Wars to the US presidential election, from the Indian Super League to the Cricket World Cup. 

People are also increasingly using Facebook Groups to stay connected with friends and family and to share and express what matters to them. It was announced that more than 1 billion people are discovering, experiencing and accomplishing things in Facebook Groups every month, which makes it easier for people to communicate, collaborate, and plan.