Tanzanian content creators with 5,000+ followers eligible for Facebook pay

Dar es Salaam. Content creators in Tanzania who produce their own material, with at least 5,000+ followers, and have not encountered content-related issues on Facebook are now eligible to start earning money through the platform.

This announcement was made on August 15 during the Media Literacy and Digital Skills Initiative event, which promoted the Monetisation of Digital Platforms in Tanzania.

The initiative was organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the National Arts Council of Tanzania (Basata), and Meta.

Speaking at the event, Meta’s Public Policy Manager for East and Horn of Africa, Desmond Mushi, outlined four key methods through which Tanzanian content creators can earn revenue on Facebook.

“The first method involves earnings from ads that Meta places within the creators’ content.

The second method is through subscriptions, where followers pay to access exclusive content from the creator,” explained Mr Mushi.

He further elaborated on the third option, ‘Stars’, a feature that allows followers to purchase virtual stars and send them to content creators.

The money from these stars goes directly to the creators.

The fourth and most profitable method involves companies running ads using creators’ content, providing an additional income stream.

According to Mr Mushi, this monetisation process started on August 5, but when creators begin receiving payments will depend on how quickly they onboard and meet the necessary criteria.

“Official payments will depend on the individual.

If everything is in place, within two to three weeks, the account will be eligible to receive payments,” Mr Mushi said.

He also encouraged content creators to switch their Facebook profiles to professional mode to gain access to creator monetisation.

“For now, Reels content will be prioritised for payment, as most content consumers in Tanzania prefer audio-visual material,” he added.

In addition to Facebook, Instagram creators in Tanzania are expected to start receiving payments after six weeks.

On the other hand, UNESCO’s head of office and representative, Michael Toto, emphasised the importance of critical thinking in navigating the digital world.

He pointed out that the internet and social media platforms are not just tools for entertainment but valuable resources that can be used for personal and social development.

“It’s crucial to develop critical thinking skills, as this is the most powerful tool we have in today’s digital age.

It allows us to analyse information and make informed decisions,” he said.

UNESCO is committed to providing digital literacy education, equipping individuals with the skills needed to navigate online platforms safely and effectively.

Their focus is on empowering young people and women to use digital tools for social change.

On the other hand, the Director-General of the ICT Commission, Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, hailed Meta’s decision to pay content creators as a significant opportunity for the Tanzanian digital economy.

“We rely on content creators to showcase the strength of Tanzania’s digital economy to the world.

This is a major opportunity to enhance our country’s competitiveness,” Dr Mwasaga said.

He also encouraged creators to focus on producing content in Kiswahili, highlighting the language’s importance in reaching a broader audience.

“Kiswahili gives us a competitive edge.

The demand for Kiswahili content is growing, and we need to take advantage of this to strengthen our economy,” he added.

Dr Mwasaga also pointed out that the training provided by UNESCO will help creators combat misinformation, which can cause confusion and panic in society.

With this initiative, Meta is set to usher in a new era for Tanzanian content creators, offering them the opportunity to earn from their talent while contributing to the country’s digital growth.