President Kagame Pushes for Social Media Monetization in Rwanda

President Paul Kagame has called for the urgent removal of obstacles preventing Rwanda from accessing social media monetization programs.

The President said the issue must be addressed quickly so that Rwandans can begin earning income from digital platforms.

He made the remarks on February 6, 2026, during the National Umushyikirano Council meeting.

Artists Raise Concerns Over Lost Income Opportunities

The issue was raised by popular musician Bruce Melodie, who spoke on behalf of artists and digital content creators.

He said many Rwandans are unable to earn money from social media platforms due to country restrictions.

Bruce Melodie noted that creators in other countries generate significant income online, while Rwandans often resort to using foreign citizenship or identities to access monetization features.

He stressed that social media monetization could help reduce youth unemployment.

President Kagame Demands Practical Solutions

In response, President Kagame asked what was required to resolve the issue.

He questioned why Rwandan users must pretend to be from other countries to earn money online.

The President emphasized the need for practical and immediate solutions.

Government Explains Monetization Requirements

The Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, explained that social media companies require countries to meet specific conditions before monetization is enabled.

She said there are three main requirements.

According to the Minister, Rwanda has met two of them.

Advertising Investment Remains the Main Challenge

Minister Ingabire said the remaining challenge is the level of advertising investment on social media platforms.

She explained that platforms require advertising spending of between $1 million and $1.5 million annually from local advertisers.

Rwanda has not yet reached this threshold.

Call for Strong Advertising Awareness Campaigns

The Minister said discussions with social media companies have already been held.

She added that what remains is to encourage businesses to advertise more actively on digital platforms.

She called for nationwide awareness campaigns to help companies understand the value of social media advertising.

President Orders Immediate Action

President Kagame instructed the Ministry of ICT to lead strong awareness efforts.

He urged both public and private institutions to view social media as a viable advertising space.

The President said increased advertising would directly benefit content creators and platform users.

A Step Toward a Strong Digital Economy

If resolved, social media monetization could open new income streams for thousands of Rwandans.

The move is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s digital economy and expand employment opportunities for young people.