If you are a podcast lover or a podcast creator, and you haven’t heard of SemaBox, now is the time you knew about them. For starters, they are the leading podcast network in Kenya that hosts over 300 shows across various genres and topics. SemaBOX has been producing and distributing high-quality podcasts for over five years, reaching millions of listeners across the continent and beyond. But now, SemaBOX is taking podcasting to the next level with the launch of WAZO, a new podcast distribution platform that will enable Kenyan and African podcasters to earn directly from plays and advertising revenue. WAZO, which means “Thought” in Kiswahili, is more than just a podcast app. It is a platform that empowers podcasters to monetize their content, while also providing listeners with a seamless and engaging listening experience.
WAZO is free to download and use for all listeners through the Wazo ONE plan, which gives you access to all the podcasts on the platform. You can browse through different categories, genres, and languages, and discover new shows that match your interests. You can also follow your favorite shows and creators, and get notified when new episodes are released. You can also rate and review podcasts, and share them with your friends on social media.
But what makes WAZO different from other podcast apps is that it also allows you to support the podcasters you love by subscribing to their premium plans. For a small monthly fee, you can unlock exclusive benefits such as ad-free listening, bonus episodes, early access, behind-the-scenes content, live Q&A sessions, and more. By subscribing to a premium plan, you are directly contributing to the sustainability and growth of the podcast industry in Kenya and Africa.
WAZO also offers a unique opportunity for podcasters to earn revenue from their content. By joining the WAZO Creator Program, podcasters can access various monetization options such as advertising, subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships. WAZO will handle all the technical aspects of monetization, such as ad insertion, payment processing, analytics, and reporting. Podcasters will also have full control over their pricing, content, and audience.
WAZO is the first platform of its kind in Kenya, offering a brand-new revenue stream for podcasters, while also providing advertisers with an aggregated audience of over 39M listeners across the SemaBOX creator network. Advertisers will now have a one-stop shop to reach the Kenyan podcast audience in a highly effective way. This is especially beneficial for creators as the major Western platforms do not currently offer monetization to Kenyan creators.
According to Dan Aceda, the founder and CEO of SemaBOX, WAZO was born out of a vision to help podcasters earn revenue from their passion and talent. “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.”
WAZO will also aggregate data about Kenyan podcasts and Kenyan podcasters more directly. This will enable podcasters to get the necessary information to grow their product and improve their delivery. In addition, WAZO will also enable advertisers to make more informed investment decisions.
WAZO is more than just a podcast platform. It is a community of thinkers, storytellers, innovators, and changemakers who are shaping the future of Africa through audio. Join us today and be part of this movement.
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