African creators have global fans but struggle to get paid
Founders of Selar, Mainstack and Raenest said at a TechCabal panel that reliable cross-border payments, not new tools, are what African creators still lack.
The facts
- According to TechCabal, founders of Selar, Mainstack and Raenest said African creators can reach a global audience from day one, but collecting payment across borders remains hard.
- The Nigerian Creator Economy Report 2025 found that 56.45% of Nigerian creators earn less than $100 a month, as cited by TechCabal.
- Selar, founded in 2016 and described as bootstrapped and profitable, says it has paid out more than ₦18 billion ($12.9 million) to nearly 400,000 creators.
- Selar's affiliate network, where marketers sell a creator's product for a commission, now earns more revenue than its subscriptions, according to founder Douglas Kendyson.
Case notes · Danny's take
Why it matters
The creator economy story usually focuses on the top tier with millions of followers. This panel looked at the other end, where over half of Nigerian creators earn under $100 a month. At that level, a failed payment is not an inconvenience. It is the rent. And Kendyson's point is a blunt one: the fix doesn't need to be clever. It needs to work.
For builders
Another payment gateway is not the gap. Reliability is. Look at what Selar's affiliate network suggests: helping creators find buyers can earn more than selling them tools. Raenest's angle is control after the money lands, so think about what happens to funds once they arrive.
Not financial advice. Do your own investigation.
This story was summarised with AI from TechCabal's reporting and checked against our editorial policy. Danny's take reflects his views. Disclaimer.
Danny Walter
Founder of Moon Republic, Volt Terminal and Moon Republic Academy. Author of The Market Is a Crime Scene and After the Applause.