How to make money with TikTok in Africa
Are you spending hours scrolling through TikTok and wondering how others are actually making money from it—especially in Africa? You’re not alone. Thousands of young Africans are turning their creativity into real income through the app—without needing millions of followers or expensive equipment. Whether you’re in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa or beyond, TikTok offers real opportunities to earn—if you know how to use it smartly.
In this guide, we’ll break down 7 powerful ways creators can make money online with TikTok in Africa:
- Switch to a Pro Account
- Brand partnerships and sponsored content
- Promote your business or services
- Go live and receive virtual gifts
- Offer tutorials and courses
- Create your foundation
- Build a cross-platform strategy
Why use Tiktok to make money online in Africa?
TikTok isn’t just an entertainment app anymore—it’s become one of the most powerful tools for making money online, especially for young Africans. With its global reach, short-form video format, and viral algorithm, TikTok levels the playing field: you don’t need a fancy camera, a massive budget, or millions of followers to go viral or make an income.
As of 2025, TikTok boasts approximately 1.59 billion monthly active users worldwide, making it the fifth most popular social media platform globally. This expansive user base presents vast opportunities for creators to reach diverse audiences and monetize their content effectively.
In many African countries where traditional job markets can be challenging, TikTok offers a unique opportunity to monetize creativity, culture, and everyday life. Whether you’re showcasing your dance moves in Nigeria, your cooking skills in Kenya, or your design talent in South Africa, there’s an audience waiting—and potential revenue behind every view.
Here’s why TikTok stands out as a money-making platform in Africa:
- Low barrier to entry: All you need is a smartphone and internet connection.
Fast organic growth: TikTok’s algorithm rewards creativity, not just follower count. - Diverse income options: From brand deals to live gifts and selling your own services.
- Community-driven trends: Local content often outperforms polished, international-style videos.
- Cross-border reach: Go viral beyond your country—your audience isn’t limited to your region.
TikTok gives creators across Africa the chance to turn their passion into profit. Let’s explore how you can make it work for you.
👉 Check out this video by Axel Merryl, an influencer from Benin who turned his talent for comedy and relatable African storytelling into a full-time career. He’s a great example of how TikTok can empower African creators to go global while staying true to their local voice.
1.Start Smart: Switch to a Pro Account
Before you start creating content to make money, make sure your TikTok account is set to Pro (Business or Creator mode). This unlocks advanced features like analytics, performance tracking, and the ability to add a link in your bio—essential tools if you want to grow and monetize your presence.
You can switch to a Pro account for free in your TikTok settings in just a few taps.
2.Brand partnerships and sponsored content
This is the most important and profitable way African TikTok creators earn income—and the best part? You don’t need millions of followers to get started.
Whether you’re promoting local fashion, skincare brands, food & beverage products, or mobile services, more and more African brands are looking to collaborate with relatable and authentic creators to connect with younger audiences.
How Africans earn with TikTok brand deals:
- 🤝 Partner with African startups or international brands expanding into Africa.
- 🏷️ Use hashtags to increase discoverability (e.g. #MadeInAfrica, #NigerianTikTok, #KenyaStyle).
- 🎥 Tag brands in your videos and showcase how you actually use their product in your daily life.
- 📩 Reach out to brands directly with a short media kit or DM them on Instagram/TikTok offering UGC (User Generated Content).
- 💬 Include a call-to-action in your videos: show value, benefits, or transformation after using the product.
How to start small:
- Don’t wait for brands to come to you. Start by organically creating content around products you already love or use. This builds credibility and shows the brand what kind of content you can offer.
For example:
- Show how you style a local fashion piece
- Review a skincare product you bought
- Create a “before/after” cooking video using a local food product
- Tag the brand and use their branded hashtags.
- Reach out by email or DM, offering to create UGC (User Generated Content) or suggesting a small paid post or affiliate deal.
Pro Tip: Brands love creators who align with their values and aesthetic. So build your profile to reflect a clear style, niche, and audience. Create a few brand-style videos even before reaching out.
For example, check out @zona_davani, an African entrepreneur who uses TikTok to promote the skincare brand she uses by sharing her personal routine, product benefits, and tips.…
3.Promote your business or services
TikTok isn’t just for dancing or lip-syncing. Many African content creators use it as a platform to promote their businesses, from fashion boutiques to graphic design services.
This is a powerful TikTok side hustle in Africa, especially for freelancers and entrepreneurs.
👀 Trending in Africa:
- Skincare routines
- African recipes
- Comedy skits
- Educational finance tips
For instance, Kayla Kim-Kay, a South African entrepreneur and CEO of Afrocurl, utilizes TikTok to showcase her natural hair care products. Through engaging content, she educates her audience on hair care routines and demonstrates the effectiveness of her products, thereby driving sales and building a loyal customer base.
@lebolion_sa, a South African marketing strategist, uses TikTok to share business tips and social media strategies – helping African entrepreneurs grow their brands while showcasing her own expertise and services.
@thefoodnetworknig, a Nigerian food creator, uses TikTok to share mouthwatering street food content and traditional Nigerian recipes, building a passionate community around his love for African cuisine.
💡 Side Hustle Bonus: Make Money with Paid Surveys
Looking for another simple way to make money online in Africa, even without being a TikTok creator?
Try SagaPoll — a mobile app where you earn money just by answering surveys.
It’s free, fast, and tailored for African users.
4.Go live and receive virtual gifts
TikTok LIVE lets creators engage with their followers in real time—and earn money through virtual gifts that can be converted into cash. It’s one of the easiest ways to earn on TikTok in Africa, especially if you have an engaged audience.
✨Bonus Tip:
Build trust and consistency before going live. Followers are more likely to send gifts if you interact regularly.
5.Offer tutorials and courses
If you’re good at something—editing videos, drawing, language tips, or crypto investing—turn it into a content series. Then, offer paid tutorials or sell courses via a link in your bio.
This works especially well for creators interested in how to make money online in Africa beyond TikTok itself.
💡 Bonus Resource: Not sure where to start? Check out free online certifications and marketing courses on HubSpot Academy to build your skills and teach others effectively.
6.Built your foundation : what to do before monetizing
To go viral on TikTok in Africa, it’s crucial to jump on local and global trends quickly. Use trending sounds, hashtags, and challenges to increase your reach.
📈 Tips to grow TikTok in Africa:
Before thinking about making money on TikTok, set yourself up for success by following these essential steps:
- ✅ Understand TikTok lingo & features: Learn how hashtags, trends, sounds, and the algorithm work.
- 🎯 Set clear goals: Do you want to build a personal brand, promote a business, or earn extra income? Know your “why.”
- 👥 Identify your target audience: Who are you creating content for? What kind of content do they engage with?
- 📅 Create a content calendar: Plan your videos ahead of time to stay consistent and relevant.
- 🎨 Define your unique style: Stand out by having a consistent tone, aesthetic, or niche (funny, informative, educational…).
- ✍️ Craft compelling captions: Write clear, engaging captions that complement your video content. Utilize 3–5 relevant hashtags to boost discoverability. Pro tip: You can also use Hootsuite’s built-in Owlywriter AI tool to generate TikTok captions.
- 📈 Optimize your content:
- Post consistently (1–2x per day)
- Keep videos short and engaging
- Engage in the comments to build community
- Collaborate with other creators to expand your reach
7.Build a cross-platform strategy
Many successful African TikTok content creators also use Instagram, YouTube, or X (Twitter) to diversify their audience—and income. Once you’ve built a community, you can monetize through multiple platforms.
Final thoughts: making TikTok a real side hustle in Africa
Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistency, creativity, and smart planning, TikTok can become a genuine side hustle in Africa. Whether your goal is to land brand deals, grow a business, or offer tutorials… there’s a strategy that fits your style.
So get filming—your next viral video might just be the one that changes everything. 🎥📱💸
Before you scroll away to record your next viral video, here’s one last tip:
Combine TikTok with other income streams to boost your earnings.
Apps like SagaPoll let you earn money just by sharing your opinion on everyday topics.
It’s a great way to make money online in Africa—especially if you’re just starting out.
FAQ
Does TikTok pay in Africa?
Only three African countries — Morocco, Egypt and South Africa — are included in the 53 regions where TikTok’s Effect Creator Rewards scheme operates. Meanwhile, zero are eligible for payouts via the app’s Creator Fund, which only covers the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil, Japan and South Korea.
How many followers do you need on TikTok to get paid in South Africa?
To qualify, you’ll need at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the past 30 days. Your videos must be original and longer than a minute. Plus, you need to be 18 or older and live in an eligible country. To join, head to your profile and tap TikTok Studio, then select the Creator Rewards Program.
How to make money on TikTok by watching videos?
Currently, TikTok does not pay users just for watching videos. However, you can earn rewards in certain regions through the TikTok Rewards Program, where you gain points by inviting friends or watching promotional content. Keep in mind that this is not available in all African countries.
👉 Looking for a more reliable way to earn money passively? Try the SagaPoll app —you can earn cash just by answering short surveys from your phone.
How to make money on TikTok LIVE?
To earn from TikTok LIVE:
- You must be 18+ and have at least 1,000 followers
- Go live and engage with your audience in real-time
- Followers can send virtual gifts, which you can later convert into money
💡 Tip: Build trust and consistency. People are more likely to send gifts if you provide value—whether through entertainment, advice, or education.
How to make money on TikTok with 1,000 followers?
Once you reach 1,000 followers, you can:
- Start using TikTok LIVE and earn through virtual gifts from your audience.
- Use your following to promote brands, especially local ones.
- Offer shoutouts or reviews for small businesses in your area.
How much does TikTok pay per 1,000 views?
TikTok pays roughly $0.02–$0.04 per 1,000 views through the Creator Fund—but this varies based on:
- Your location
- Video engagement
- Watch time
- Niche
Since this is very low, most creators focus on brand deals, affiliate links, and UGC to earn more significantly.
How does TikTok pay?
TikTok pays creators through:
- TikTok Creator Fund (in eligible countries)
- TikTok LIVE gifts (convertible to cash)
- TikTok Series (paywalled content)
- Brand sponsorships (off-platform payments)
- Affiliate links and external income sources
Most payments are made via PayPal or linked payment platforms once you reach the minimum withdrawal threshold.
