In an exciting development, Kenyan content creators are set to earn revenue from their posts on Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram, commencing June this year. This significant stride stems from a collaborative effort between President William Ruto and the social media giant, Meta, signaling a breakthrough for Kenya’s digital content landscape.
Following discussions at State House Nairobi, Meta’s President of global affairs, Nick Clegg, announced that Kenyan content creators meeting the eligibility criteria would have the opportunity to monetize their content on Facebook and Instagram platforms. This announcement underscores a year-long endeavor by the Kenyan government to empower creators to derive income from their online endeavors, mirroring successful models observed on platforms such as YouTube and X.
President Ruto lauded the initiative, recognizing its potential to unlock new income streams for Kenya’s youth demographic. He further urged Meta to extend the monetization feature to M-Pesa, a move that would enhance accessibility and convenience for creators across the country.
To participate in the program, content creators must meet certain prerequisites, including a minimum of 5,000 followers on their private Facebook profile or 10,000 followers on a Facebook page. Additionally, creators must have a track record of engagement, demonstrated through a minimum number of live videos and viewership metrics.
Industry insiders reveal that Facebook compensates content creators with approximately Sh1,074 ($8) to Sh2,685 ($20) per 1,000 views, with the average Cost Per Mile (CPM) ranging from Sh1,074 to Sh1,342 ($10) in most African countries. While these figures reflect the nascent stage of the marketing industry in the region, the burgeoning popularity of Facebook, now surpassing WhatsApp as the most used social media application in Kenya, hints at substantial earning potential for creators leveraging the platform’s monetization tools.
Key monetisation features include in-stream ads, strategically placed within content videos to ensure a seamless viewing experience for audiences while offering advertisers an effective means to connect with their target demographic.
This initiative not only empowers Kenyan content creators but also supports broader efforts to use the digital space to create jobs and boost economic empowerment, especially for the youth. With the monetization feature set to launch in June, it marks a significant opportunity for Kenya’s dynamic digital content community, signaling a new era of innovation and potential.
