Meta has unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI) translation tool that could transform how Nigerian creators reach audiences and earn income globally, opening new opportunities for the country’s over 33 million social media users.
The new feature, announced on Tuesday, automatically dubs and lip-syncs Reels into another language, making it appear as though the creator is speaking the translated language. Beyond translating words, the AI recreates the sound and tone of the creator’s voice while syncing lip movements to enhance authenticity and audience engagement.
Read also: What is Artificial Intelligence? A beginner’s guide for business leaders in Nigeria
For now, Meta’s AI translation supports English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English dubbing. This allows Nigerian creators, many of whom post content in English, to connect with over 500 million Spanish speakers worldwide. Meta said more languages will be introduced in the coming months.
Access to the feature is currently available to Facebook creators with at least 1,000 followers and to all public Instagram accounts. On Facebook, enabling the tool is as simple as clicking “Translate your voice with Meta AI” before publishing a Reel. Creators can preview translations, choose to turn lip syncing on or off, and track performance insights showing how many views came from each language audience.
Meta emphasized that translations work best with clear, face-to-camera videos, minimal background noise, and no overlapping speech. It also noted that Facebook creators can upload up to 20 of their own dubbed audio tracks to a Reel, further expanding their reach to audiences beyond English and Spanish.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram said the innovation was designed to help creators break language barriers and access new markets. “We believe there are lots of amazing creators out there who have potential audiences who don’t necessarily speak the same language. If we can help them reach across cultural and linguistic barriers, they can grow their following and get more value out of the platform,” he explained.
The development comes at a critical time for Nigerian creators, who became eligible for Facebook content monetization in July 2024. Meta introduced In-Stream Ads on Facebook and Facebook Ads on Reels, enabling creators to earn money from original videos and community-building content. To qualify, creators must meet certain requirements, including having a minimum of 5,000 followers for in-stream ads.
Read also: Artificial intelligence (Ai) in the visual arts
By combining monetization with AI-powered translations, Nigerian creators are now positioned to earn not just from local audiences but also from global viewership. This could significantly increase the earnings potential of creators in Africa’s largest digital economy, where social media has become a lifeline for young entrepreneurs, entertainers, and influencers.
With more languages set to roll out, Meta’s AI translation could serve as a gateway for Nigerian creators to tap into lucrative international markets while reshaping the creator economy across the continent.
