The Government has opened discussions with global technology giants Google and Meta as it works on a new programme aimed at allowing Zimbabwean digital content creators to earn revenue from their online work.
The initiative forms part of efforts to expand the digital economy under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), with authorities seeking to remove long-standing barriers that have prevented local creators from accessing monetisation opportunities available in other countries.
Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera, said her ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services to address the challenges faced by Zimbabwean creators on global platforms.
She confirmed that government has already begun engagements with major international tech companies to explore monetisation models that can work within the local context.
“We have had extensive discussions with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, where our local digital content creators have expressed a strong desire to monetise their content,” said Minister Mavetera.
“We have engaged the likes of Google and Meta to find ways for our own local content creators to monetise their content. There have been limitations to this, but discussions are ongoing.”
She revealed that government is considering a structured programme that would either integrate Zimbabwean creators into existing global monetisation systems or establish a dedicated platform specifically tailored for local content producers.
“We believe we will have a programme dedicated to the monetisation of local content creators, with at least a platform where they can monetise the content they produce,” she said.
The move comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s digital content sector is growing rapidly, with creators active in social media, video streaming, music, education and online publishing. Despite this growth, many have struggled to earn sustainable income due to limited access to monetisation tools.
Government officials say enabling digital creators to earn online will contribute to job creation, youth empowerment and innovation, while strengthening Zimbabwe’s presence in the global digital economy.
The proposed programme is aligned with NDS2 goals of using technology to drive inclusive economic growth and ensure emerging sectors make a meaningful contribution to national development.
Once rolled out, the initiative is expected to open new income streams for local creators and position Zimbabwe as an increasingly competitive player in the digital content space.
