Thomas Sipalo Renews Push for Monetisation of Content in Zambia

Munali Member of Parliament Thomas Sipalo has renewed calls for Zambia to make content creation a viable source of income, saying creators should be able to earn a living from the time, talent and resources they invest in their work.

Sipalo, a retired artiste, says he intends to raise the issue in Parliament, arguing that content creation should be recognised as a legitimate occupation under the Government’s Grow Zambia agenda.

“Content creation is both expensive and time-consuming. It must never be taken as a pastime hobby,” he said in a statement.

He added, “Creators need to start earning a living from their God-given talents and efforts. It’s time we monetise it.”

His comments renew attention on a challenge facing many Zambians who produce videos, music, comedy, educational material and other digital content but have limited opportunities to turn their online audiences into reliable income.

In November 2024, Parliament approved a motion moved by former Nkana MP Binwell Mpundu urging Government to facilitate social media monetisation in Zambia. The motion was backed by lawmakers who argued that helping creators earn from their content could open up new income opportunities, particularly for young people.

The Ministry of Technology and Science also addressed the issue at its Digital Economy Roundtable on May 14, 2026. Under the roundtable’s framework, a dedicated workstream on digital content creation and gaming was proposed, with a focus on monetisation opportunities through global platforms such as Meta, TikTok and YouTube.

The initiative was presented as a way to support entrepreneurship, job creation and wider participation in the digital economy, while responding to challenges creators face with connectivity, monetisation and ecosystem support.

However, political support and proposed initiatives do not automatically mean monetisation features are available to Zambian users. Creators still need practical ways to earn from their work, including access to relevant platform programmes and workable payment systems.

For those investing in equipment, internet data, editing and promotion, building an audience can be costly without a dependable route to income.

Sipalo’s message is that content creation should be taken seriously as work, not dismissed as a hobby.