Kenyan TikTok creators are turning short-form content into sustainable income, leveraging a suite of monetisation tools designed to reward creativity and deepen audience engagement.
As the platform expands across Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok is enabling creators to build careers while amplifying local voices.
“African creators on TikTok have been rewarded for their creativity contrary to popular belief,” said Boniswa Sidwaba, Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa. “We continuously test new products and features to ensure they bring maximum value and effectiveness.”
TikTok’s Monetisation Tools in Kenya
1. LIVE Gifts: Real-Time Viewer Rewards
Creators can go LIVE and activate virtual gifts. Viewers send tokens during broadcasts, which convert into real money.
- Boosts engagement
- Rewards popularity
- Encourages consistent LIVE content
2. Video Gifts: Passive Income from Pre-Recorded Clips
Fans contribute to pre-recorded videos, turning every upload into a monetisable asset.
- No need to go LIVE
- Expands monetisation to all formats
- Supports evergreen content
3. Subscription Model: Monthly Revenue from Loyal Fans
Creators offer exclusive perks for a monthly fee, building community and consistent income.
- Recurring revenue
- Exclusive content access
- Works for non-LIVE creators too
4. Work With Artist Feature: Promote Music, Earn Rewards
Creators collaborate with artists to promote songs via viral campaigns. Rewards are performance-based.
“Creators across SSA have successfully leveraged this feature in recent months,” Sidwaba noted.
- Supports African music discovery
- Strengthens creator-artist ties
- Performance-based earnings
Strategic Impact for Kenya’s Digital Economy
TikTok’s monetisation suite aligns with broader goals of digital inclusion, youth employment, and creative industry growth. By equipping creators with scalable income tools, the platform contributes to Kenya’s evolving gig economy and content export potential.
“TikTok is committed to equipping creators with the best tools to grow their careers and transform their passions into sustainable income streams,” Sidwaba added.
