Users of the popular free messaging app, WhatsApp in Africa appear to be widening the scope of its usage to include work-related communications. This is according to the 2025 Cybersecurity and Awareness report by cybersecurity analytics company, KnowBe4 Africa. The study revealed that work-related usage of the Meta-owned app increased slightly from 89% last year to 93% in this year’s survey.
According to the report, WhatsApp is more popular for professional communications than the more work-focused channels like email (78%), LinkedIn (45%), Zoom (48%), Microsoft Teams (27%) and ChatGPT, the AI app which was used by 42% of respondents.
Speaking about the development, Senior Vice President of Content Strategy at KnowBe4 AFRICA, Anna Collard, said the increase in the professional use of WhatsApp expresses the fact that there is an overlap between creator intention and user usage.
“The increase in WhatsApp usage for work shows a further blurring of lines between users’ personal and professional lives. This can lead to increased risks, as personal devices may not have the same level of security as corporate-managed devices,” she said.
Although WhatsApp seems to be enjoying a dominant usage for professional communications, users also explored the use of other personal messaging apps for this. They include Facebook, Telegram (53%), and X, formerly Twitter (33%)
WhatsApp’s transition from personal chat to popular work tool
WhatsApp was founded in 2009 by Jan Koum and Brian Acton. After over two decades working at the web service and communications platform, Yahoo, the duo launched WhatsApp as an alternative to the (Short Message Service) SMS. The app was initially built as a paid messaging app, with features that notify users of the status of their messages.
In 2014, The company joined Facebook and became a free messaging app, increasing its popularity, user base and features. Its affordability and activity shift made it more widely adopted thereby prompting its end-to-end encryption feature. Over time the app evolved to become what it is now; providing users with the ability to send text and voice messages, hold voice and video calls and support image, video and location sending.
Availed with a seemingly limitless communications platform, users have adopted WhatsApp for other purposes beyond swift messaging and personal communication. Now corporate documents can be sent via the platform, professional teams can hold group calls to discuss corporate issues and events can be set on the app using available features.
Despite its wide adoption as a business communication platform, WhatsApp still retains its appeal as a personal communications platform. According to the KnowBe4 report, WhatsApp remains the most preferred mobile application by users in their private life with 97% of respondents claiming they use it to communicate with their family and friends.
Why the choice of WhatsApp?
The reasons why many people are transitioning to WhatsApp as a professional communications tool are pretty obvious. Generally, the platform offers swift communication and prompt responses, features which have provided users with the convenience they need to exchange information with ease.
With over two billion active users worldwide, it seems obvious that many employees already have the app installed on their devices and are comfortable with its interface. This eliminates the need for extensive onboarding or training, allowing users to integrate it seamlessly into their workflows.
Another significant factor is affordability. Unlike traditional SMS or paid enterprise communication tools, WhatsApp offers a free messaging service with international reach, making it an attractive option for users, and most especially business owners looking to reduce operational costs. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in particular, benefit from its affordability, enabling cross-border communication without additional expenses.
WhatsApp’s ease of use seamlessly plays a major role in its workplace adoption. The platform supports instant messaging, group chats, file sharing, and voice or video calls, making it a versatile tool for both internal collaboration and client communication. Employees can quickly exchange documents, schedule meetings, and coordinate tasks, improving overall productivity.
However, this growing reliance on WhatsApp for work also raises security concerns, which made it a feature in KnowBe4’s report. Since employees often use personal devices for professional communication, corporate data may become vulnerable to cyber threats. Personal users and organizations must weigh the convenience of WhatsApp against potential risks such as data breaches, unauthorized access, and phishing attacks.
Some IT professionals have warned that businesses should implement security protocols, such as two-factor authentication and data encryption, to mitigate these risks.