Mobile network provider Tigo has announced a partnership with Facebook, which allows its Tanzanian customers free access to the English and Kiswahili version of the social media network without incurring data charges.

“Tigo customers can, for the first time, access Facebook through their handsets without incurring any data charges and connect with the social media network’s two millions users in Tanzania and its 1.2 billion users worldwide,” Diego Gutierrez, Tigo’s General Manager said.

Access to top social media network’s Kiswahili version, which is the national language spoken in Tanzania and most countries in East, Central and Southern Africa, will open up the endless opportunities of the internet and social media to Tigo customers, while increasing the mobile operator’s market share.

“With this unique partnership, we are making Tigo stand out from the crowd and giving many customers their first taste of the internet and social media, including in Kiswahili. That’s what creating the digital lifestyle is all about, and it reinforces our strategy to encourage more Tigo customers to use data as part of their daily communications activity,” Gutierrez added.

The partnership, which is in line with Facebook Internet.org initiative (a movement that seeks to guarantee internet access globally), comes on the heels of the launch of free access to Facebook with Tigo Paraguay in the Guarani native language, making this the second collaboration between both companies.

“We’re excited to be working with Tigo again to give more people in Tanzania the ability to share and connect free of data charges across Facebook apps and mobile website, and now in the traditional language of Kiswahili,” Nicola D’ Elia, Facebook Director for International Growth and Partnerships said

The deal, especially with the Kiswahili version, will give Tanzanians access to information, new business and socio-economic opportunities globally, a statement read.