Malawi’s young digital creators have appealed to President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s government to take immediate steps to help them earn income through global social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. The call comes as neighbouring countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa continue to reap the benefits of government-supported online monetization programs.
In an open letter addressed to President Mutharika, Zomba-based content creator and digital educator Stargic said it was disappointing that despite Malawian creators producing educational and inspiring content that reaches thousands of viewers, they cannot earn a single kwacha because Malawi is not yet eligible for monetization. He said the situation has forced some creators to rely on friends living in countries that qualify for monetization, a practice that poses serious risks to their platforms and income.
“Despite our efforts and global reach, we cannot earn from our work because Malawi is not yet eligible for Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube monetization,” Stargic wrote. “I once monetized my Facebook page through a South African friend and was earning up to $680 per month, but I had to stop after my page was nearly hacked.”
The young educator, who teaches Malawians in the local language about phone settings, data saving, and online security, said Malawi’s absence from monetization programs is mainly because the country lacks access to international payment systems such as PayPal and Stripe. He also cited the absence of clear digital economy policies and limited engagement between government and global tech companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok.
According to him, the government has the power to change the situation by engaging with these companies and opening safe payment channels for local creators. He said countries such as Kenya and South Africa are already benefiting from such arrangements because their governments worked closely with these platforms.
Stargic urged President Mutharika to take a personal interest in the matter and direct the Minister of Information and Technology to prioritize digital economy reforms that would make Malawi eligible for social media monetization. He argued that such a move would help create thousands of jobs for young people, generate tax revenue for the government, and bring foreign currency into the country.
“Your Excellency, you have always spoken about empowering the youth and modernizing Malawi,” he wrote. “Helping us access monetization is a direct step toward that vision. We are ready; we just need your support to make our creativity count.”
The open letter has since gone viral, with many Malawian youths expressing frustration at being left behind in the digital economy. Several commentators have described the appeal as a timely reminder that technology and innovation could play a critical role in addressing youth unemployment if properly supported.
As the country continues to struggle with limited job opportunities, many believe that embracing the digital economy could mark a turning point for Malawi’s young generation — one that would allow them to turn their creativity into income and help the nation tap into the growing global online market.
