The move comes as the social media giant moves to force users to adopt Messenger if they want to send each other direct messages, instead of the main Facebook site or app.

It will let people send text, photos and links but won't do video calls, for example. Messenger Lite is a similarly slimmed-down version of Messenger. There is already a Facebook Lite available for people whose phones are too old or simple to run the full-fledged Facebook.

'Hidden' Facebook message folder may store surprises.

Facebook Messenger tests encrypted 'secret conversations'.

Messenger found to be tracking 'a lot more data than you think'.

The company did not say when it would be available in other countries or whether it is also coming to Apple devices - although Android is far more popular in emerging markets than even older iPhones. Messenger Lite will be available on Android devices in Kenya, Tunisia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Venezuela beginning on Monday. It is aimed at emerging markets, where many people use older phones that don't have enough room to store or ability to run the full-featured application due to slower internet speeds or other issues. Facebook is launching a 'lite' version of it Messenger chat app.

Messenger lite login without facebook