A fresh wave of online criticism has erupted after popular content creators Gilbert and Joy Nyathi were accused of charging what many are calling extremely inflated fees for Facebook promotions. Their published rate card shows packages climbing as high as $12,000 USD annually for sponsored content — a figure that has stunned small business owners and digital marketing professionals alike.
For many entrepreneurs, that number feels disconnected from the economic reality most African businesses operate in. Small brands often struggle to afford even basic advertising budgets, making a five-figure influencer fee appear wildly out of reach. Critics argue that influencer marketing is supposed to help businesses grow — not become a luxury service reserved only for companies with massive marketing budgets.
Businesses Say the Pricing Feels Unrealistic
Marketing experts were quick to point out a harsh reality: $12,000 could fund an entire year of highly targeted Facebook and Instagram ads, reaching hundreds of thousands — or even millions — of potential customers with measurable results. Paid ads provide detailed analytics, conversion tracking, and guaranteed reach. In comparison, influencer posts rely heavily on trust and hope that followers will engage
