Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has unveiled two new monetization features for Kenyan creators. The company announced the introduction of “In-Stream Ads” on Facebook and “Ads on Facebook Reels” to help creators earn revenue through their content.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Meta explained that these features are designed to allow creators to make money from original videos and foster community growth. Moon Baz, Meta’s Global Partnerships Lead for Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye, emphasized that these tools will provide Kenyan creators with new income opportunities and contribute to the expansion of the local creative industry.
Baz noted, “We are continually inspired by the remarkable African creators who use Facebook to share their stories and connect with others. This expansion will enable eligible Kenyan creators to monetize their content, setting a global benchmark for creativity and making Meta’s apps the go-to platform for creators.”
The In-Stream Ads can appear before, during, or after on-demand videos, including pre-recorded and live stream content. Ad formats include Pre-roll Ads (before videos), Mid-roll Ads (during videos), Image Ads (static images below content), and Post-roll Ads (after videos). Ads on Facebook Reels will be incorporated into original Reels, with creators earning based on the performance of their content.
Starting August 6, 2024, Kenyan creators can begin earning from their videos and reels on Facebook. Meta’s new features support over 30 languages globally, including Swahili.
To access these monetization tools, creators must adhere to Facebook’s Partner Monetization and Content Monetization Policies and be at least 18 years old. For In-Stream Ads, creators need a minimum of 5,000 followers to qualify.
In March, President William Ruto discussed monetization options with Meta’s team and Kenyan content creators, advocating for payments via M-Pesa. Ruto confirmed that Meta has successfully tested this system, allowing creators to receive payments through M-Pesa, a widely used mobile money platform in Kenya.
Ruto expressed his satisfaction, saying, “I’m thrilled that monetization will now include M-Pesa. Many content creators lack credit cards or other payment methods, so this development is a significant step forward. Meta’s successful tests mean that soon, Kenyan creators will be able to use M-Pesa for transactions, making the process more accessible and convenient.”
