Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has officially announced the rollout of monetization features for content creators in Kenya, enabling them to earn from their contributions on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. This significant development comes as part of an ongoing partnership following President William Ruto’s agreement with the company in December 2022.

In a press statement released on August 6, 2024, Meta highlighted two new monetization options: in-stream ads on Facebook and ads on Facebook Reels. “This expansion will empower eligible creators in the vibrant creative industry in Kenya to earn money while raising the bar for creativity worldwide,” said Moon Baz, Global Partnerships Lead for Africa, Middle East, and Turkey.

The in-stream ads can play before, during, or after videos, whether they are pre-recorded or part of a live stream, allowing creators to capitalize on their original video content. Meanwhile, ads on Facebook Reels will be integrated directly into creators’ original reels. “Every day, we’re inspired by the incredible African creators who use Facebook to tell their stories,” Baz added.

To participate, creators must be over 18 years old, follow Facebook’s policies, and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as having a minimum of 5,000 followers for in-stream ads. With support in over 30 languages globally, including Swahili, this initiative is poised to energize the Kenyan creative landscape. As President Ruto noted, “This will change the game for content creators in Kenya.”