LetsChat, the messaging application owned by ByteDance has ceased operations. LetsChat aimed to provide young African users with an alternative to dominant platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. As of Wednesday, LetsChat has been removed from both Google and Apple Playstores.

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LetsChat was introduced by ByteDance in March 2021 with the aim of offering young Africans a messaging platform that conserves data usage. The app featured text messaging, free voice and video calls, as well as in-app games. ByteDance collaborated with well-known Nigerian social media influencers to boost the app’s visibility.

Despite accumulating nearly seven million downloads and establishing a strong user base in countries like Nigeria, Mali, Angola, and Côte d’Ivoire, LetsChat’s popularity saw a decline. Sensor Tower data reveals a significant 30% year-on-year decrease in downloads in 2022.

A spokesperson for ByteDance announced the decision, stating, “After careful evaluation of our strategic business objectives, we have decided to shut down LetsChat. We appreciate the support of our users and businesses and thank them for their engagement with our platform.”

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