Rwanda’s Paul Kagame Is Africa’s Most Popular President On Twitter

Rwandan president Paul Kagame (pictured) owns the distinction of being Africa’s most-popular president on Twitter. Along with his social media savvy, President Kagame is a reported “tech addict,” according to a recent report.

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KT Press reported on Kagame’s affinity for technology, saying he is known as the “Digital President” by the International Telecommunications Union. Kagame isn’t just collecting Twitter followers, though, analysts say the President is active in conversations on the fast-moving social media site.

In June, the President’s @PaulKagame handle was at 456,000 followers. By this week, he is nearing 626,000 followers and growing. Of all the African leaders, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta is his closest Twitter competitor in numbers, according to the Twiplomacy study by global public relations firm Burson-Marsteller.

Kagame has also reportedly invested more than $100 million to boost broadband Internet service in his nation, and a press adds that more than 50 percent of the populace use mobile phones.

Kagame, who has been in the news of late for controversies regarding the Rwandan government, is not shy in battling it out with users on Twitter either. Kagame is reportedly quick to banter with anyone who throws stones in his direction.

The Twiplomacy study reviewed 643 official accounts over 161 countries and 77 percent of African governments are on social media. The study revealed that Pope Francis (@Pontifex) is the most-influential world leader on Twitter while tweeting mostly in his native language of Spanish.

U.S. President Barack Obama is the most-followed leader across the globe.

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