Monetizing content in Botswana, how far with the talks

Good morning! Let’s get into it!

In recent months, Botswana has been making notable progress toward solving one of the biggest frustrations for local content creators — the inability to earn directly from global platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. While the journey is far from over, several developments signal that change may be on the horizon.

Government Takes Action

The Ministry of Youth, Sport, and the Arts has formally acknowledged that most Batswana creators are locked out of global monetization programs. Botswana is not currently eligible for YouTube’s Partner Program, and payment restrictions on platforms like TikTok and Meta make it nearly impossible for local creators to earn directly from their content.

In response, the government has opened direct discussions with major digital platforms such as TikTok, Google Africa, and Meta Platforms. The goal is to ensure Botswana is included in the list of countries eligible for monetization and to establish a regulatory framework that supports fair digital income for creators.

A “Content Monetization Hub” is also being developed by the ministry to train creators, guide them on intellectual property protection, and help them understand how to turn content into sustainable income.

Home-Grown Efforts Emerging

Beyond government talks, the private sector is beginning to fill the gap. A new local platform called ImpressUs has been launched to reward Batswana creators for engagement and creativity, with top daily posts earning cash prizes of up to P1,000.

This signals an important shift: while global platforms are still slow to open up monetization in Botswana, local innovators are creating their own ecosystems where digital creativity can be rewarded.

The Roadblocks Still Standing

Despite these steps forward, several major challenges remain.

• Outdated copyright and intellectual property laws reduce investor confidence and limit enforcement against content theft.

• Payment infrastructure is still underdeveloped for large-scale digital transactions and international payouts.

• Market size and ad budgets in Botswana remain small, making direct advertising revenue on content less scalable than in larger regions.

Until these structural issues are addressed, creators will continue relying on indirect monetization methods such as brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, and selling products or services to their audience.

What This Means for Creators

For now, creators in Botswana should treat platform monetization as a medium-term goal, not an immediate opportunity. The current focus should be on building a brand, growing audiences across multiple platforms, and creating independent revenue channels — whether through merchandise, sponsored content, or digital products.

When the policy changes finally take effect, those who already have consistent engagement and a loyal audience will be in the best position to benefit.

The Bottom Line

Botswana’s content monetization talks are real, ongoing, and promising — but the road to full implementation will take time. The government’s engagement with global platforms is a positive signal, and local platforms like ImpressUs show that innovation is already happening from within.

In the meantime, the smartest move for creators is to keep building, stay informed, and prepare for the moment when Botswana finally joins the list of countries where creativity truly pays.

Sources:

• “Why YouTube Monetization Is Not Available in Botswana” — Africa-Press report stating that creators in Botswana do not have access to the YouTube Partner Program. (Africa Press)

• “Decoder: 5 Ways To Monetize A YouTube Channel In Botswana” — BWTechZone article confirming the lack of YPP access in Botswana and offering alternative revenue methods. (BW TechZone | Home of Botswana tech)

• “Content Monetization Hub on cards” — Daily News Botswana piece on the government’s plan (via the Ministry of Youth, Sport and the Arts) to establish a hub for creators. (Daily News)

• “Government of Botswana Engages TikTok on Content Monetization” — Ecofin Agency article on talks between the government and TikTok to enable local creator monetization. (Ecofin Agency)

• “Google Talks Show Promise for Local Content Monetization – Kelebeng” — Business Weekly article on discussions with Google/YouTube and the regional monetization push. (The Business Weekly & Review)

• Official YouTube Partner Program availability list — Google support page showing countries eligible for YPP, useful for verifying which countries are excluded (e.g., Botswana). (Google Help)