Yes, Africans can make money on X — but not every African country is currently eligible for X's Original Content Rewards Program.
X has introduced a new monetization program that rewards creators for producing original content on the platform. The program replaced the previous Creator Revenue Sharing system for new enrollments from August 7, 2026, with existing members transitioning to Original Content Rewards from September 8.
For African creators, this creates an interesting opportunity. Countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and others are currently on X's eligible-country list.
However, Uganda is not currently listed.
So if you're in Africa and wondering whether you can earn money from X, here's what you need to know.
What Is X Original Content Rewards?
X Original Content Rewards is a monetization program designed to reward creators who publish original, high-quality content.
Your content can be written posts, articles, videos, images or other formats, as long as it reflects your own ideas, creativity, expertise or perspective.
X says creators earn based on qualified impressions generated by their original content. Payments are currently processed every two weeks, with a minimum payout of $30.
This is important because X isn't simply paying you for having followers.
The quality and reach of your content matter.
Which African Countries Are Eligible?
According to X's current official country list, the following African countries are eligible for Original Content Rewards:
| African country | Eligible |
|---|---|
| Algeria | ✅ |
| Angola | ✅ |
| Benin | ✅ |
| Botswana | ✅ |
| Côte d’Ivoire | ✅ |
| Egypt | ✅ |
| Ethiopia | ✅ |
| Gabon | ✅ |
| Gambia | ✅ |
| Ghana | ✅ |
| Kenya | ✅ |
| Madagascar | ✅ |
| Mauritius | ✅ |
| Morocco | ✅ |
| Mozambique | ✅ |
| Namibia | ✅ |
| Niger | ✅ |
| Nigeria | ✅ |
| Rwanda | ✅ |
| Senegal | ✅ |
| South Africa | ✅ |
| Tanzania | ✅ |
| Tunisia | ✅ |
Uganda is currently not included on X's list.
The list can change, however. X says it reserves the right to modify or cancel the program and its availability.
So if you're reading this article months from now, check X's official eligibility list before making any decisions.
What Does an African Creator Need to Qualify?
Being in an eligible country is only the first step.
X currently requires creators to meet several conditions.
You must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a Personal or Business X account
- Have an account in good standing
- Have an active X Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business subscription
- Have at least 500 verified followers
- Have at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users during the previous 90 days
- Regularly publish original content
- Meet X's monetization and content rules
And meeting these requirements does not automatically guarantee approval. X says eligible creators still have to apply and have their application reviewed.
How Does X Pay African Creators?
For creators outside the United States, X currently requires a Stripe payout account and identity verification through Stripe.
X says payouts are processed every two weeks, and the minimum payout is $30.
That means an eligible creator in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa or another supported African country can potentially receive payments without being based in the United States.
However, you should check whether Stripe's payout and verification services are available to you in your particular country before relying on X income.
What Counts as Original Content?
This is probably the most important part.
X isn't looking for people who simply download viral videos and upload them again.
Original content means something you personally created that reflects your own voice, knowledge, creativity or perspective.
For example, you could:
Explain a current story
Instead of reposting a news article, explain what happened and why it matters.
Share your experience
If you started a YouTube channel, freelancing business or blog, share what you learned.
Give commentary
X specifically says commentary, analysis and adding context can qualify as original expression.
Create your own videos
Film yourself explaining a topic, reviewing something or teaching a skill.
Create educational threads
Break down complicated subjects into simple, useful posts.
The key is that your contribution needs to provide real value.
What Does NOT Count?
X specifically excludes several types of content from Original Content Rewards.
For example:
- Copying another person's post
- Downloading videos from TikTok, Instagram or X and reuploading them
- Making tiny changes to someone else's content
- Adding a filter or changing video speed
- Adding a simple text overlay
- Compiling other people's content without substantial commentary
- Using automated methods to create or distribute content
So don't build your strategy around downloading viral TikTok videos and throwing them onto X.
That might get views, but it isn't the type of original content X says it wants to reward.
Can You Make Money on X Without Going Viral?
This is where things get interesting.
You don't necessarily need millions of followers.
The current requirements include 500 verified followers and 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within 90 days.
That means a smaller creator can potentially qualify if they consistently create content that reaches the right audience.
For example, imagine you're a Kenyan creator who posts about:
- Kenyan technology
- AI tools
- online jobs
- African businesses
- football
- personal finance
- freelancing
- content creation
Instead of trying to appeal to everybody, you can build an audience around a specific subject.
Your goal should be to become someone people recognize for useful information.
A Better X Strategy for African Creators
If I were starting from zero, I wouldn't spend all day posting:
"Follow me."
Or:
"Like and repost."
Instead, I'd create content people actually want to read.
For example:
Post 1:
Most people in Africa think you need a laptop to start making money online. That's not always true. Here are 5 things you can start with just a smartphone...
Post 2:
I tested several online earning methods. Here's what actually worked, what wasted my time and what I'd avoid completely.
Post 3:
If you're in Nigeria and want to start freelancing with no experience, don't begin by buying an expensive course. Start here...
This type of content gives people a reason to stop scrolling.
And importantly, you're creating something of your own.
Don't Make Your Whole Account About X Monetization
There's another detail creators should pay attention to.
X says content that is exclusively focused on monetization coaching, monetization discussion or maximizing payouts is not eligible for Original Content Rewards.
So don't turn your entire account into:
"How to make money from X"
"How much X paid me"
"Get 500 followers fast"
"How to qualify for X monetization"
Instead, build an actual content niche.
Talk about technology, business, sports, entertainment, education, African startups, personal experiences or whatever subject you genuinely understand.
Then X monetization becomes a potential result of building an audience — not the entire purpose of your account.
What About Uganda?
For Ugandan creators, there's currently a problem.
Uganda does not appear on X's current Original Content Rewards country list.
That doesn't necessarily mean Ugandans can never earn money from X.
You can still use X to:
- Build an audience
- Promote a blog
- Find freelance clients
- Promote products
- Build a personal brand
- Drive traffic to YouTube
- Promote affiliate offers where permitted
- Network with businesses and creators
But you shouldn't assume that being able to use X means you're automatically eligible for Original Content Rewards.
Country eligibility matters.
What About Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa?
Creators in these countries have a clearer opportunity because they are currently included in X's official list.
For example, a Nigerian creator could build an X account around Nigerian business and technology.
A Kenyan creator could focus on technology, digital jobs or the creator economy.
A Ghanaian creator could build an audience around finance, entertainment or entrepreneurship.
A South African creator could create content around technology, business, sports or lifestyle.
The important thing isn't simply being in an eligible country.
You still need to reach X's eligibility requirements and get approved.
Is X Worth Trying in Africa?
If you already enjoy creating content, yes, X is worth considering as another platform.
But I wouldn't recommend paying for Premium solely because you expect X to start paying you immediately.
You still need:
500 verified followers + 500,000 qualifying Home Timeline impressions in 90 days + original content + an eligible country + an account in good standing.
That's a real target, not easy money.
The smarter approach is to build the audience first.
Create useful content.
Learn what your audience responds to.
Improve your writing.
Build your reputation.
Then monetize when you qualify.
Final Thoughts
X has opened another potential income stream for African creators, but the opportunity isn't available equally across every country.
At the moment, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and several other African countries are included in X's Original Content Rewards Program, while Uganda is not currently listed.
The biggest lesson is simple: original content matters.
Don't build your strategy around copied videos, recycled posts or tiny edits to someone else's work.
Build something people recognize as yours.
If you're in an eligible African country and you're already creating content on X, this could be a monetization opportunity worth working toward.
And if you're in Uganda or another country that isn't currently listed, you can still use X to build an audience and make money through other online opportunities while keeping an eye on future changes to the program.
X's country list can change, so always check the official requirements before subscribing to Premium or planning your income around the program.
