Kenya Advocates for TikTok Monetization to Empower Youth with Job Opportunities

The Kenyan government has initiated talks with TikTok to introduce monetization tools for local content creators, aiming to enhance job opportunities for the country’s youth. 

This move comes just weeks after Meta launched similar tools in Kenya, reflecting the government’s commitment to leveraging digital platforms for economic empowerment.

Mary Kerema, the Secretary of ICT, e-Government, and Digital Economy, emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to empower young Kenyans to earn an income online. 

“Our goal is to provide avenues for our youth to remain active, productive, and financially independent,” Kerema stated during the launch of TikTok’s first Safety Advisory Council for sub-Saharan Africa, held in Nairobi.

Kerema praised TikTok for its proactive approach in creating community guidelines and engaging with stakeholders to ensure fair and understandable content regulations. 

However, while there is speculation about the potential launch of TikTok monetization by June 2024, a TikTok spokesperson clarified that no specific timeline has been set for direct monetization in Africa.

Currently, Kenyan creators can still earn through existing features like live gifting, video gifts, and brand partnerships. 

Despite the absence of direct monetization, the Kenyan government remains hopeful that ongoing discussions with TikTok, set to begin next week, will expedite the process, opening up new financial opportunities for young creators across the nation.

Source: Africa Tech