Meta Launches Monetization Features for Kenyan Content Creators

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has unveiled two new monetization features for eligible content creators in Kenya.

This announcement, made on August 8, 2024, marks a significant milestone following President William Ruto’s agreement with the company in December 2022. The introduction of In-Stream Ads on Facebook and Facebook Ads on Reels aims to empower Kenyan creators by providing them with opportunities to earn money through their content on Meta’s platforms. President Ruto had previously emphasized the potential of such a partnership, noting the earning potential of content creation on social media platforms. This collaboration aligns with Meta’s broader strategy to support content creators globally and enhance user experience across its platforms.

Moon Baz, Global Partnerships Lead for Africa, Middle East, and Turkey at Meta, expresses enthusiasm about the rollout and highlights the company’s commitment to supporting and nurturing African creative talents. The new features offer flexible monetization options for creators. In-stream ads can be played before, during, or after on-demand videos, including pre-recorded content and recordings of previous live streams. Ads on Facebook Reels will be integrated into original reels, allowing creators to earn based on their content’s performance while entertaining followers.

Eligible creators in Kenya will be able to monetize their video and reels content with support in over 30 languages, including Swahili. To participate in the program, creators must adhere to Facebook’s policies and be at least 18 years old. For in-stream ads, additional eligibility criteria apply, such as having a minimum of 5,000 followers. Meta has emphasized the importance of adhering to its Partner Monetization Policies and Content Monetization Policies to maintain high standards of content quality and integrity.

This development follows a series of discussions and collaborations between President Ruto and Meta. In March 2024, President Ruto held talks with the Meta team and content creators to discuss the potential for monetizing content on Facebook. He announced that social platforms under the Meta brand would start paying Kenyan digital creators through M-Pesa, a popular mobile money platform in Kenya.

The introduction of these monetization features is expected to have a positive impact on the Kenyan economy by creating new income streams for content creators and encouraging the growth of the digital economy. It also highlights the growing recognition of the value of digital content and the role of social media platforms in supporting creative industries.