The era of the ad-free WhatsApp is over. Meta has confirmed that Kenyan users will now see sponsored content within the Updates tab, specifically tucked between Status updates and within public Channels.
While personal chats remains encrypted and private, the Updates section is now prime real estate for advertisers.
The strategy here is Frictionless Commerce. Unlike Facebook or Instagram ads that redirect users to external websites, these WhatsApp ads feature a ‘Click-to-Chat’ button.
One tap opens a direct conversation between the buyer and the seller, allowing the entire transaction from inquiry to payment to happen within a single app.
Is the market ready for this change?
Meta has not disclosed pricing for WhatsApp ads in Kenya, but advertising on its other platforms typically varies by market. In Kenya, Instagram and Facebook Stories ads cost between 500 shillings and 2,000 shillings per day for small and medium-sized businesses.
