Zimbabwe in talks with Google, Meta

The Government is developing a dedicated programme to enable Zimbabwean digital content creators to monetise their work online, as part of efforts to grow the digital economy under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).

Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said her ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services to remove long-standing barriers that have prevented local creators from earning revenue from global digital platforms.

Speaking on the initiative, Minister Mavetera confirmed that Government has already begun engagements with major international technology companies, including Google and Meta, to explore monetisation models suitable for the Zimbabwean market.

"We have had a lot of conversations with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, where we have our local digital content creators wanting to monetise their content," she said. "We have engaged the likes of Google and Meta to find ways for our own local content creators to earn from their work. There have been limitations to that, and discussions are ongoing."

She said the envisaged programme will establish a structured framework that allows local creators to generate income, either through existing global platforms or via a dedicated monetisation platform designed specifically for Zimbabwe.

"We believe that we will have a programme dedicated to the monetisation of local content creators, including a platform where they can monetise the content they have," Minister Mavetera said.

The move comes at a time when Zimbabwe's digital content space is expanding rapidly, with creators across social media, video streaming, music, education and online publishing struggling to access revenue streams that are available to their counterparts in other countries.

Government officials say unlocking monetisation opportunities for local creators is critical for job creation, youth empowerment and innovation, while strengthening Zimbabwe's participation in the global digital economy.

The initiative aligns with the broader objectives of NDS2, which seeks to leverage technology to drive inclusive economic growth, promote innovation and ensure emerging sectors contribute meaningfully to national development.

Once implemented, the programme is expected to open new income streams for Zimbabwean digital creators and position the country as a competitive player in the global digital content economy.