Botswana’s government has entered direct talks with TikTok to address the platform’s monetization restrictions that currently limit local creators. The meeting, confirmed by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and the Arts, brought together Minister Jacob N. Kelebeng and TikTok’s Southern Africa policy lead, Tholoana Ncheke-Mahlaela.
This is the first time a Southern African government has engaged TikTok on monetization policy. While both parties agreed to collaborate on digital literacy and outreach programs, the central issue Botswana’s exclusion from TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program remains unresolved.
Creators Face Limited Earning Options
Botswana, like most African nations, is not part of TikTok’s global whitelist a select group of countries where creators can earn revenue from views and engagement. As a result, Batswana creators must rely on less stable alternatives such as live gifts, brand partnerships, or third-party agencies that often charge high commissions.
This exclusion creates a financial hurdle that limits income potential and discourages long-term creative careers. Although the Ministry emphasized the need for capacity building and creator support, it did not confirm whether TikTok is considering changes to its whitelist criteria.
The Hidden Costs of Exclusion
Without direct access to monetization, many creators turn to offshore brokers to process payments. This often means giving up partial ownership of their content or accepting steep fees reducing earnings and making it harder for Botswana to collect digital tax revenue.
For a country pursuing its Vision 2036 goals of building a knowledge-based, inclusive economy, such financial leakage poses a serious challenge. A direct monetization pathway would not only protect creators from exploitation but also strengthen Botswana’s growing digital entrepreneurship sector.
A Continental Challenge with Global Stakes
Botswana’s initiative also sheds light on a broader issue, African creators play a major role in shaping global digital culture yet remain largely excluded from revenue-sharing systems. While African music, fashion, and humor dominate online trends, only a few countries most notably South Africa appear on TikTok’s monetization-eligible list.
This imbalance fuels a “creator inequality gap,” where African voices drive engagement but receive little financial reward. Botswana’s engagement with TikTok could serve as a model for other governments seeking fairer treatment and greater inclusion in the global digital economy.
To move beyond dialogue, Botswana may need to outline clear milestones toward whitelist inclusion, collaborate with financial regulators to simplify digital payment systems, and reassess the 10% VAT on e-services that currently reduces creator earnings. These steps could help build a stronger case for inclusion and set a precedent for other nations across the continent.
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