Starting today July 1, 2024, social media enthusiasts in Nigeria and Ghana have a reason to celebrate. Facebook, under its parent company Meta, is rolling out two game-changing monetization features that could turn your passion for creating content into a profitable venture.
Gone are the days when African creators watched from the sidelines as their international counterparts raked in the cash. Now, with In-Stream Ads on Facebook and Facebook Ads on Reels, local content creators can finally turn their followers into fortune.
But what does this mean for the average creator? Imagine you’re a popular vlogger in Lagos or a trending dancer in Accra. Your entertaining videos and reels could now come with a paycheck, courtesy of ads seamlessly integrated into your content.
However, before you start planning your early retirement, there are a few hoops to jump through. Meta isn’t opening its wallet to just anyone with a Facebook account. To qualify, you need to
- be at least 18 years old and comply with Facebook’s Partner Monetisation Policies and Content Monetisation Policies.
- For In-stream Ads, you’ll need a minimum of 5,000 followers.
It’s like applying for a job, but instead of a suit and tie, your qualifications are measured in likes and shares.
ALSO READ:Mastering the Lead Generation Ecosystem: A Comprehensive Guide
These new features aren’t just a one-size-fits-all solution. In-stream Ads come in various flavors – pre-roll, mid-roll, image, and post-roll. It’s like choosing toppings for your pizza, but instead of extra cheese, you’re selecting where ads appear in your video.
Moon Baz, Global Partnerships Lead for Africa, Middle East, and Turkey at Meta, couldn’t contain her excitement. She painted a picture of Meta’s platforms becoming a bustling marketplace for African creativity. It’s as if Facebook and Instagram are transforming into a digital version of Lagos’ Lekki Arts and Crafts Market or Accra’s Centre for National Culture.
This move didn’t come out of the blue. Back in March, Meta’s top brass, led by Sir Nick Clegg, paid a visit to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. They didn’t just come for the jollof rice(We know who has the best jollof) – they promised to introduce these monetization features by June 2024. And true to their word, they’ve delivered, even if it’s a day late. Better late than never
President Tinubu, ever an advocate for Nigerian youth, used the opportunity to push for more investment in the country. It seems his call didn’t fall on deaf ears.
As exciting as this news is, it also raises questions. How will this change the landscape for local businesses? Will we see a surge in sponsored content? Could this be the push needed to transform the African digital economy?
One thing’s for sure – for aspiring content creators in Nigeria and Ghana, Facebook just became more than a place to share photos and catch up with old classmates. It’s now potentially a launchpad for the next generation of African digital entrepreneurs. So, if you’ve been sitting on that brilliant content idea, now might be the time to hit ‘post’.
Found this interesting? Share!
and then