**1. Introduction**

The advent and advancement of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) does not only lead to the advancement of technology but, have also re-shaped the narrative and way people communicate with one another in the Sub-Saharan Africa region and other parts of the world. One of such widely used technologies that have re-shape the ways people communicate among themselves in our digital age is the social media platform. Today, social media network sites are known to be playing significant roles in communication and other services-oriented areas of life. That is the more reason why the usage and impacts of social media cannot be

overemphasized. In providing a clear understanding of the term social media, social media was described as a "web-based communication tool that enables people to easily interact with one another by sharing and consuming information, sharing information, interacting with friends and family members, and getting the latest information at accelerated speed [1].

Due to its importance in society, "social media usage has fast become a staple in the online world [2]. However, the usage is not limited to the developed nations, but also in Sub-Saharan Africa, and other under-developed countries in the world. Sub-Saharan Africa region with over forty eight countries, like any other part of the world, also need to speedily share accurate and current information, most especially information that is relevant to economic development, politics, social life, health-related issues, etc. within and outside the region. Today, we have several pieces of literature that affirmed social media networking sites as the most commonly used platform among youths and adults, in communicating in their comfort, particularly in their homes, institutions of learning, and offices, and as well as become part of their lifestyle. As a result, several individuals have resolved to deploy social media as a communication channel for sharing pictures, music, advertisement, and other vital information regarding health-related issues, politics, agriculture activities, etc.

However, despite the importance of social media in enhancing education, health institutions, and other sectors of mankind, observation shows that the increased usage of social media came with a series of challenges that are threatening human co-existence. These challenges are identified to include; fake news, the posting of nude pictures, propagation, and posting of hatred clips, defamation of people, and posting of false and misleading information [3]. Despite the challenges, social media remain the most popular and widely used networking site in Sub-Saharan Africa and the world in general. It is against this background that, this study opined that, the types, importance, purpose of usage, challenges of social media, etc. in Sub-Saharan Africa may differ significantly from other parts of the world due to the disadvantages such as inadequate education, inadequate technologies infrastructures, inadequate electricity and as well the under-development of the region. Therefore, this paper aims to review or explore empirical and theoretical works on social media, focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa to critically examine the types, usage, and purpose of usage, importance, challenges, and ways of improving social media in Sub-Saharan Africa.
