The internet has given Africans countless opportunities to earn income, and two of the most popular are blogging and YouTube. Every day, more people from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and across the continent are asking themselves: should I start a blog or a YouTube channel to make money? Both platforms are powerful, but they work differently. Success depends on your strengths, consistency, and long term goals.

In this article, we’ll break down how blogging and YouTube compare in terms of cost, growth potential, income opportunities, and challenges. By the end, you’ll know which path makes the most sense for you or whether combining both might be the smartest choice.

Starting Costs: Blogging vs YouTube

Blogging is one of the most affordable ways to start creating content online. All you really need is a domain name, a hosting plan, and a blogging platform like WordPress. In Africa, domain names cost around $10–$15 per year, while reliable hosting can be as low as $3 per month with local or international providers. In total, you can start a blog with less than $50. For example, a Ghanaian student who wants to share career advice can set up a blog over a weekend without breaking the bank.

YouTube, on the other hand, requires video equipment. While you don’t need a professional camera at first, you’ll still need a smartphone with decent video quality, a microphone, and possibly editing software. Internet data is another major factor in Africa. Uploading large video files can be expensive in countries where data costs are high, like Nigeria or Uganda. This makes YouTube slightly more expensive to start, although many successful African YouTubers began with nothing more than their phone cameras and free editing apps.

Verdict: Blogging is cheaper to start, but YouTube has a lower barrier in terms of tech knowledge since you don’t need to learn WordPress or SEO right away.

Audience Growth Potential

Blogging relies heavily on SEO (Search Engine Optimization). It can take months before Google ranks your posts and traffic begins to flow. However, once you rank, your blog can attract thousands of visitors every month without ongoing effort. Imagine a Kenyan travel blogger writing an article on “Best Safari Destinations in Kenya.” If that post ranks, it can bring steady traffic for years with little extra work.

YouTube’s growth curve is often faster. Videos can go viral, gaining thousands of views in days, even with a small channel. YouTube also has its own built in recommendation system that helps push content to new viewers. Many African creators, like South African tech reviewers or Nigerian comedy skit channels, have grown massive audiences in just months.

Verdict: YouTube can help you grow faster, but blogging offers more stable, long term growth through SEO.

Monetization Opportunities

Blogging Income Streams

Ads (Google AdSense, Ezoic, Mediavine): Once you reach steady traffic, ads provide passive income.

Affiliate Marketing: Recommending products like Jumia, Konga, or international brands such as Amazon earns you commissions.

Digital Products: Selling ebooks, templates, or online courses.

Sponsored Posts: Brands pay to be featured on your blog.

YouTube Income Streams

Ad Revenue: Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can monetize with ads.

Brand Deals: African influencers often work with telcos, banks, fashion brands, or even local startups.

Merchandise Sales: Print on demand or direct sales of branded items.

Memberships & Super Chats: Viewers support you directly on live streams.

For African creators, blogging has an advantage in affiliate marketing and selling digital products, while YouTube shines with brand sponsorships and community-driven income.

Effort and Time Investment

Blogging requires strong writing skills, research, and SEO knowledge. Once posts are live, they keep working for you, generating passive income. YouTube requires more ongoing effort, scriptwriting, filming, editing, and engaging with viewers. Videos can also become outdated faster than evergreen blog posts.

For example, a Nigerian blogger who writes “Top 10 Business Ideas in 2025” can keep attracting traffic for years, while a YouTuber covering the same topic might need to update with new videos as trends change.

Verdict: Blogging requires less ongoing effort once you’ve built your foundation, while YouTube demands constant content creation to stay relevant.

Challenges Specific to Africa

1. Internet Costs: Video uploads can be expensive, making blogging more cost friendly for many Africans.

2. Electricity Issues: In countries with frequent power cuts, filming and editing video may be disrupted. Blogging is less demanding on electricity.

3. Trust from Brands: Some African bloggers struggle to land sponsorships compared to YouTubers, since brands often prefer visual platforms for marketing.

4. Payment Systems: Bloggers can use PayPal alternatives like Payoneer or Flutterwave, while YouTubers get direct payments from Google AdSense once eligible.

Combining Blogging and YouTube

The smartest option for many Africans may be to use both platforms together. A blog can host written tutorials, product reviews, or detailed guides, while YouTube provides engaging video content. For instance, a South African fashion creator could write blog posts about styling tips while also filming “Get Ready With Me” videos for YouTube. Both platforms can promote each other, multiplying income opportunities.

Which is Better for You?

Choose blogging if you enjoy writing, want long term passive income, and have limited internet data.

Choose YouTube if you love being on camera, enjoy storytelling, and want to grow quickly with brand sponsorships.

Choose both if you have the time and energy to diversify your income streams.

Final Thoughts

Blogging and YouTube are not enemies, they are tools. The best one for making money depends on your skills, resources, and goals. In Africa, where internet access and opportunities are growing rapidly, there’s space for both bloggers and YouTubers to thrive. If you start now, remain consistent, and adapt to your audience, either platform could become your ticket to financial freedom.