SemaBOX has announced the launch of WAZO, an innovative podcast distribution platform designed to empower Kenyan and African podcasters by providing a direct source of income through plays and advertising revenue. The platform, which derives its name from the Kiswahili word for “Thought,” will initially be accessible free of charge to all listeners through the Wazo ONE plan starting from July 17, 2023. Monetization for Kenyan content will commence immediately, while the monetization rollout for Ugandan and South African Creators is scheduled for Q3 of 2023.
WAZO represents a pioneering initiative in Kenya, introducing a fresh revenue stream for podcasters while granting advertisers access to a consolidated audience of over 39 million listeners across the SemaBOX creator network. Advertisers will now have a convenient one-stop-shop to effectively reach the Kenyan podcast audience. This development is particularly beneficial for creators, as major western platforms currently do not provide monetization options for Kenyan content producers.
“We are truly excited that we can finally bring this online. Our goal has always been to help podcasters earn revenue, and we are confident that WAZO will be the tool that can unlock this effectively. We also hope that by introducing monetization right from the start, the rest of the podcast industry will follow. These wonderful creators are making world-class content, and it’s about time they started to benefit from this.” said Dan Aceda, Founder and CEO of SemaBOX.
Additionally, WAZO will serve as a comprehensive data aggregator for Kenyan podcasts and podcasters, offering valuable insights to help creators enhance their products and delivery. Advertisers will also gain access to more informed investment decisions through the platform.
The official launch of WAZO took place during a creator event on July 17th, 2023, and the platform will be immediately available worldwide on the web on the same day. IOS and Android apps will be released shortly after. The development of this platform has been supported by Baraza Media Lab and Africa No Filter, showcasing the collaborative effort to uplift and empower the podcasting community in Kenya.
With WAZO, SemaBOX aims to revolutionize the podcasting landscape in Kenya and Africa, enabling creators to monetize their content while providing advertisers with an efficient way to connect with their target audience. As the podcast industry continues to thrive, WAZO’s introduction is expected to inspire other platforms to follow suit, fostering a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem for podcasting in the region.