Although TikTok is less than a decade old, it has rapidly become a major influence in culture, entertainment, and online business around the world including Kenya. With millions of users and a fast-growing Gen Z audience, TikTok presents a powerful opportunity for Kenyans looking to earn an income online.
If you’re based in Kenya and wondering how to tap into TikTok’ s popularity to build a following and generate revenue, you’re in the right place. From brand partnerships to selling products and services, here are 13 proven strategies to help you make money on TikTok in Kenya.
Also Read: TikTok Shop: How Beauty Brands Win in Social Commerce
13 ways to make money on TikTok in Kenya
There isn’t just one way to make money on TikTok in Kenya. The most successful Kenyan creators combine multiple monetization strategies to maximize their earnings on the platform. By using TikTok’ s built-in features and exploring other creative income streams, you can turn your content into a sustainable source of income.
1. Join the Creator Rewards Program
One of the most direct ways to make money on TikTok in Kenya is by joining the Creator Rewards Program. This program rewards creators for producing original, engaging videos especially those longer than one minute, which TikTok says tend to perform best.
If you can create content that connects with viewers and goes viral, just like the famous “doggface208” skateboarding video did globally, you could start earning through this program. While actual earnings vary, creators typically make between 2 to 15 Kenyan cents per 1,000 views, depending on engagement and originality.
To qualify, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have at least 10,000 followers
- Reach 100,000 video views in the past 30 days
- Post original content that’s longer than one minute
- Live in an eligible country (TikTok continues to expand this program to more regions, including some African countries check for updates)
To apply, go to your TikTok profile, open TikTok Studio, and select the Creator Rewards Program to get started.
2. Sell Merch
One of the easiest and most creative ways to make money on TikTok in Kenya is by selling your own merch. Whether your content is about comedy, fashion, dance, or book reviews, your followers may be interested in supporting you by buying branded products.
Thanks to print-on-demand services, you don’t need a large budget or inventory. You can sell items like t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, mugs, phone cases, or stickers customized to reflect your personal brand or catchphrases from your content.
Beyond just earning income, selling merch helps grow your brand and deepen your connection with your audience. Every fan who wears your merch becomes a walking advertisement for your TikTok channel.
Several global print-on-demand platforms ship to Kenya, so it’s easier than ever to set up a small online store and start promoting your products directly on TikTok.
3. Go Live for Virtual Gifts
Another great way to make money on TikTok in Kenya is by going live and earning through virtual gifts. TikTok’s LIVE feature allows your followers to support you in real time by sending virtual gifts, which you can later redeem for cash. This makes livestreaming not only engaging but also financially rewarding.
Going live helps you connect with your audience on a deeper level. When your followers feel more personally involved in your content, they’re more likely to support you both through gifts and other income streams like merch or paid promotions.
If you sell products online, TikTok LIVE is also a powerful tool for showcasing and promoting them. In fact, many small business owners around the world have seen a major increase in sales after shifting from other platforms to TikTok for live selling.
TikTok also offers fun features like the airdrop gift, where random viewers can send you virtual gifts during your livestreams, keeping things exciting and interactive.
To access TikTok LIVE and receive virtual gifts, you’ll need:
- At least 1,000 followers
- To be 18 years or older
- A TikTok account in good standing
Whether you’re a content creator, influencer, or small business owner in Kenya, going live regularly can boost your visibility and your income.
4. Partner with Affiliates on Creator Marketplace
A smart way to make money on TikTok in Kenya is by partnering with brands through the TikTok Creator Marketplace. This platform connects TikTok creators with companies that want to promote their products through sponsored content and affiliate marketing.
Instead of reaching out to brands individually, you can list yourself on the Creator Marketplace and let brands discover you. If your content aligns with their target audience, they may offer paid partnerships or affiliate deals.
This setup works like a digital influencer agency, making it easier and more professional for Kenyan creators to start earning from brand collaborations.
In addition to TikTok’s Creator Marketplace, platforms like Shopify Collabs can also connect you with global and local brands looking to increase visibility through influencer campaigns.
If you’re creating quality content and have an engaged following, these tools can help turn your TikTok account into a steady income source through affiliate commissions and sponsored posts.
5. Open a TikTok Shop
A powerful way to make money on TikTok in Kenya is by launching your own TikTok Shop. This feature allows you to sell products directly within the app through both videos and livestreams making it easier for your followers to buy without ever leaving TikTok.
With a business account, you can tag products in your content and add “Buy” buttons, making your videos instantly shoppable. Whether you’re selling your own items or promoting affiliate products, TikTok Shop helps you drive sales with minimal friction.
You can:
- Sell your own products (e.g., handmade items, fashion, digital goods)
- Promote affiliate partner products and earn commissions
- Integrate with your Shopify store (if you have one) to sync and manage inventory easily
This feature is especially useful if you already have a loyal following in Kenya and want to turn that audience into paying customers. You can also use dropshipping to expand your store without holding stock just source products from a supplier who ships directly to buyers.
Brands like Peace Out Skincare have found massive success by combining influencer marketing with TikTok Shop, and the same strategy can work for Kenyan creators who are ready to monetize smartly and authentically.
If you’re ready to start selling, open your TikTok Shop through TikTok Seller Center, complete the setup, and start uploading your products.
6. Create In-Feed Ads
If you’re ready to invest in growing your brand or business, running in-feed ads is another powerful way to make money on TikTok in Kenya. These ads show up in users’ For You feeds and play automatically, blending in with regular content making them a great tool for grabbing attention.
Using TikTok Ads Manager, you can:
- Promote your videos to a targeted audience
- Boost product visibility
- Drive more traffic to your TikTok Shop, website, or affiliate links
In-feed ads are ideal for creators and entrepreneurs in Kenya who want to scale faster by reaching new viewers beyond their organic following.
If you manage an online store with Shopify, the integration with TikTok Ads Manager allows you to run, track, and optimize your ads directly from your Shopify dashboard making the process even more seamless.
While organic reach is still strong on TikTok, a small ad budget can go a long way in increasing visibility and helping you monetize more effectively.
7. Crowdfund Projects
If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or artist in Kenya, crowdfunding can be a meaningful way to make money on TikTok especially if you’re working on a special project or launching a new idea. Many followers are happy to support creators whose content they enjoy, especially when there’s a clear goal involved.
You can use TikTok to share your story, outline your goals, and build excitement around your project. Hosting live fundraising sessions, creating behind-the-scenes content, and engaging directly with your audience can help drive more contributions.
Depending on your funding needs, here are a few popular crowdfunding platforms to explore:
- Kickstarter – Great for creators with a clear funding target and structured campaign.
- Indiegogo – Offers flexible fundraising, allowing you to keep the money you raise even if you don’t meet your goal.
- GoFundMe – Ideal for personal projects, creative causes, or emergency funding, and it’s widely used in Kenya.
- M-Changa – A mobile-friendly Kenyan crowdfunding platform that allows you to receive donations via M-Pesa, card, or PayPal perfect for local supporters.
By combining the reach of TikTok with the right crowdfunding platform, you can mobilize your followers in Kenya and beyond to fund your vision while building a stronger connection with your audience.
8. Collect Tips
If you’re looking for a simple, low-effort way to make money on TikTok in Kenya, collecting tips from your followers is a great option. Tipping platforms work like a digital tip jar your fans can send you small donations as a way to show appreciation for your content.
Depending on your follower count and eligibility, you may be able to receive tips directly through TikTok using TikTok Gifts during livestreams. These gifts can be converted into real money some even valued at over $500.
If TikTok’s in-app tipping isn’t yet available to your account in Kenya, don’t worry there are several trusted third-party platforms you can link to from your bio:
- Buy Me a Coffee – A favorite among creators. Followers can “buy you a coffee” (typically a $1 tip), and payments are sent via PayPal or bank transfer.
- Tipeee – Simple and flexible. Fans can tip you any amount at any time without needing a subscription.
- Ko-fi – Offers tips, memberships, and even commissions for personalized content like shoutouts or custom tutorials.
- M-Pesa Tip Jar – For a localized solution, you can share your M-Pesa Paybill or Till number in your bio or videos so Kenyan fans can send you tips instantly.
Tipping is not only a nice gesture from your audience, but also a steady income stream that adds up over time especially if you’re posting consistently and engaging with your followers.
9. Offer On- and Off-Platform Subscriptions
If you want to build a steady and reliable income, offering subscriptions is a smart way to make money on TikTok in Kenya. Subscriptions turn casual viewers into loyal supporters who pay a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive perks.
TikTok’s own Subscription feature lets fans unlock special benefits like subscriber-only livestreams, badges, and access to exclusive videos or behind-the-scenes content. This creates a VIP experience for your most dedicated followers.
To attract more subscribers, keep your subscription price affordable around $1 or the equivalent in Kenyan shillings is a good starting point. With a large number of subscribers, even a small monthly fee can add up to significant earnings.
You can also use external platforms like Patreon to offer subscriptions off TikTok. Patreon lets you create multiple membership tiers, each with unique perks, helping you cater to fans who want more personalized content or rewards.
Promoting your subscription links on TikTok, whether through your bio or videos, helps convert your followers into consistent supporters, creating a reliable passive income stream.
10. Provide Exclusive Content with TikTok Series
To take your earnings to the next level, you can use TikTok Series to offer exclusive content behind a paywall a great way to make money on TikTok in Kenya by providing valuable, in-depth videos that your fans pay to access.
With TikTok Series, you can upload up to 80 videos, each up to 20 minutes long, allowing you to create detailed content like a fitness program, cooking classes, storytelling series, or educational tutorials.
This feature is perfect for creators who want to monetize premium content and build a community of paying subscribers who appreciate your expertise.
To qualify for TikTok Series, you need:
- At least 10,000 followers
- At least 1,000 views in the past 30 days from a minimum of three original posts
Setting up your Series is easy just go to TikTok Studio, select the Series option, and follow the prompts.
If you have specialized knowledge or a unique style, TikTok Series is an excellent way to turn your passion into income right from Kenya.
11. Grow and Sell TikTok Accounts
A creative way to make money on TikTok in Kenya is by building TikTok accounts and selling them once they gain traction. If you understand what kind of content resonates with audiences and how to grow followers, this could become a profitable side business.
Here’s how it works:
Start a TikTok account focused on a popular niche like comedy, fashion, or local culture and consistently post engaging videos. As your follower count and engagement grow, your account becomes valuable to businesses or influencers who want a ready-made audience.
Once your account reaches a good size, you can sell it on platforms like:
- Flippa – A well-known marketplace for digital assets
- Fameswap – Specializes in social media account sales
- PlayerUp – Offers secure transactions for TikTok account transfers
When selling, highlight key metrics such as follower count, engagement rate, and audience demographics to show the value of your account to potential buyers.
This method is a great option for Kenyan creators who enjoy content creation but want to monetize by flipping accounts instead of direct content sales.
12. Give Personalized Shout-Outs
Personalized shout-outs are a fun and engaging way to connect with your TikTok audience and a clever way to make money on TikTok in Kenya. Whether it’s birthday wishes, congratulations, or special greetings, fans love receiving personal messages from their favorite creators.
You can monetize this by offering shout-outs for a fee. Platforms like Cameo make it easy to sell personalized videos, and you can promote your Cameo profile directly on your TikTok bio or videos.
Alternatively, during your TikTok livestreams, offer shout-outs in exchange for virtual gifts or tips. Encourage your viewers to send in requests along with a recommended donation amount for each shout-out.
This method builds a closer relationship with your followers while creating an additional income stream that’s both interactive and rewarding.
Also Read: Short-Form Video Content: How to Win on TikTok, Instagram Reels & YouTube Shorts in 2025
Who Is Your TikTok Audience?
To successfully make money on TikTok in Kenya, it’s essential to understand who your audience is. On TikTok, the user base tends to be younger, with a large portion under 34 years old, and about one-third under 24.
In Kenya, just like globally, TikTok is growing rapidly among young people, including teens and young adults. Interestingly, more millennials are also joining the platform, which means tailoring your content to both younger and slightly older audiences could help you stand out.
Knowing your audience’s age, interests, and preferences will help you create content that resonates and engages them. This insight is key to building a loyal following and effectively monetizing your TikTok presence over time.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all formula, combining a clear understanding of your Kenyan TikTok audience with trending content ideas puts you in the best position to grow your income sustainably.
Always Put Content First
When trying to make money on TikTok in Kenya, it’s important not to overwhelm your followers with too many sales pitches. Your audience knows that creating great content takes resources, but nobody wants to follow an account that feels like a nonstop advertisement.
TikTok is all about building genuine connections, so taking a content-first approach is key. Instead of starting with a sales message, focus on creating valuable and engaging content first then let those videos naturally inspire the best ways to monetize your account.
This strategy worked well for brands like Parade, a sustainable underwear company, which found success by creating authentic, humorous TikTok content that resonates with millennial and Gen Z audiences. Parade’s marketing manager, Darya Dziadzenka, emphasizes that the secret to TikTok success is making your content feel organic and true to the platform.
In Kenya, this means sharing content that adds value or entertainment to your viewers’ lives, rather than just pushing products.
For example, Sonja Detrinidad, founder of Partly Sunny Projects, grew her online plant business by sharing authentic, relatable gardening videos. Her engaging and genuine approach attracted the right audience and helped convert followers into customers sometimes going viral in the process.
By focusing on what your Kenyan audience enjoys and trusts, you create a loyal community that’s more likely to support you financially over time.
Join the Creator Economy
In today’s world, creators in Kenya aren’t just artists they’re also entrepreneurs, marketers, salespeople, and business owners all rolled into one. The creator economy empowers you to turn your creativity, passion, and unique voice into a real source of income.
When you make money on TikTok in Kenya, you’re not just earning you’re buying more time to focus on what you love: creating content. Whether it’s comedy, dance, education, or any other niche, TikTok offers a platform where you can get paid for doing what you do best.
Joining the creator economy means taking control of your career and building something meaningful on your own terms. It’s about transforming your talent into a sustainable business.
If you want to explore even more ways to grow your income, don’t forget to check out tips on how to make money on YouTube and Instagram too.
Also Read: Social Media as a Customer Service Tool: Key Trends and Proven Strategies
