YouTube is the second-biggest search engine in the world after Google. Now, YouTube has the YouTube Partnership Program (YPP), through which it gives its qualifying creators greater access to YouTube resources and monetization features.

As the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) stands today, it only includes 13 African countries, namely:

• Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

This is largely due to a combination of factors, mainly low consumer intent, high fraud, or just total discrimination by YouTube.

In contrast to those living in the 13 African countries covered by the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), "YouTubers" or content creators who create and upload videos to their YouTube channel in Zambia, are unable to monetize their channels and receive payment based on the number of views their videos receive.There are YouTubers living in Countries that are eligible for the YouTube Partnership Program (YPP) who make a living just through their YouTube channels.

The production of high-quality content requires a lot of time, as well as specialized tools like cameras, microphones, lighting, and editing suites, as well as expensive computers and software licensing. It also involves expenses like travel, etc. Therefore, such a block really discourages and demotivates new and old Zambian content creators from learning new ways they can improve their content because they are having to reach into their own pockets in order to do so.

We would hope that our government would see the benefit of this as well. We are not all doctors, lawyers and engineers; we are entertainers, artists and DIY influencers. This would mean that individuals can contribute knowledge and entertainment to a wide audience, while earning legitimate income. YouTube can help discourage young adults and teenagers from involving themselves in criminal conducts, doing drugs, and alcoholism. They can simply start a trend of them picking up a phone and posting to create an income.

Henceforth, this can really be a game changer for most of the talented Zambians. So help us level the playing field with the internet giant by signing and promoting this petition. Be part of the change that we believe is going to improve Zambia's digital footprint.