An analysis of Social Media use in The SADC region - 2014 - 2020 that allows subscribers on the MTN network to access Facebook for free167 Beyond zero rating, some organisations and governments are also providing free internet access for example in Luanda Angola there are over 9 000168 , free Wi-Fi hotspots. grown exponentially to become the third largest African IXP, with peak traffic of 10.8 Gbps (as recorded in July 2017).172 In that regard, internet exchange points should be considered more in the SADC region so as to promote internet access and subsequently social media use for free expression and access to information. Internet exchange points (IXPs) Social media without internet IXPs are a critical component of the Internet ecosystem where Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) interconnect directly rather than through one or more third-party networks to exchange local traffic with each other.169 There are service providers now offering social media access through USSD / SMS text. For example, in Zimbabwe Facebook on USSD service has been launched through Econet.173 With this service any handset can be used to access the social network by dialing *325# The service which is being targeted mainly at Econet’s prepaid customers is meant as a “Facebooking” option174 for subscribers who do not have data enabled devices, are sensitive to the high costs of data or access internet service at restricted times of the day only (The workplace Wi-Fi users for instance)175. This results in low latency, cost and bandwidth-saving (less dependence on international links) on Internet access to the Internet Users170 . SADC Member States have established at least one National IXP (NIXP)171. An example is the Angonix – an IXP based in Luanda – has 167 https://www.techtrends.co.zm/mtn-zambia-launches-free-facebook-flex/ 168 https://www.wiman.me/angola 169 https://au.int/sw/node/31361 170 ibid 171 https://www.af-ix.net/ixps-list 172 https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/7/16/166368.html 173 https://www.techzim.co.zw/2014/07/econet-launch-facebook-ussd/ 174 https://www.techzim.co.zw/2019/01/the-facebook-by-sms-service-from-econet-could-help-at-time-like-this-but-its-giving-a-weird-finalstep/ 175 https://www.techzim.co.zw/2011/03/new-econet-service-powered-by-etxt/ 31 https://zimbabwe.misa.org