TikTok has taken Trinidad and Tobago by storm, with its vibrant dance challenges, comedy skits, and cultural content resonating deeply with local audiences. Yet, despite its explosive growth in the twin-island nation, one critical feature remains elusive for creators: the TikTok Partner Program.
This monetisation tool, which allows influencers to earn revenue through ads, TikTok LIVE and the Creator Fund, is unavailable in Trinidad and Tobago, a paradox that leaves many questioning why such a popular platform hasn’t enabled financial opportunities for its user base.
This article will explore the fiscal, regulatory, and market-driven factors behind TikTok’s monetisation gap in Trinidad and Tobago, offering insights into the complexities of global tech platforms and the challenges of operating in smaller economies.
The TikTok Partner Program: A global monetisation powerhouse
The TikTok Partner Program is the backbone of the platform’s creator economy, offering tools like the Creator Fund, LIVE subscriptions, and in-stream ads to help influencers monetise their content. Available in over 50 countries, the program has transformed social media into a viable career path for millions. However, its absence in Trinidad and Tobago highlights the intricate balance between platform scalability and localised challenges.
For context, TikTok’s monetisation features depend on three pillars:
- Advertiser demand (brands paying to reach users).
- Payment infrastructure (systems to pay creators reliably).
- Regulatory compliance (adhering to local laws on taxes, data, and finance).
When any of these pillars are unstable, TikTok delays or restricts monetisation, a reality Trinidad and Tobago’s creators now face.
Regulatory hurdles: Navigating Trinidad and Tobago’s financial laws
A primary barrier to the TikTok Partner Program’s launch is compliance with Trinidad and Tobago’s financial and data regulations. Like many nations, T&T imposes strict controls on cross-border payments and foreign currency exchanges. For TikTok, which processes payouts in US dollars or euros, navigating the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign exchange protocols adds complexity.
Foreign exchange controls
Trinidad and Tobago operates under a managed float exchange rate system, with the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD) subject to controls to stabilise the economy. Converting TTD to foreign currencies for creator payouts requires approval from the Central Bank, creating bureaucratic delays. For TikTok, which prioritises seamless payouts, this introduces operational risks and potential compliance costs.
Tax compliance
TikTok must also adhere to local tax laws, including withholding taxes on creator earnings. Trinidad and Tobago’s tax framework for digital services remains underdeveloped, lacking clear guidelines for international platforms. Until agreements are reached, similar to how Colombia implemented significant tax reforms in 2022 that affect multinational digital companies like Meta, TikTok may avoid exposing itself to ambiguous liabilities.
Data localisation concerns
Recent drafts of T&T’s data protection laws propose requiring foreign companies to store citizen data locally. For TikTok, which relies on global servers, building local data centres for a small market is financially impractical. This regulatory uncertainty further discourages monetisation investments.
Market size and prioritisation: The economics of “small” markets
While Trinidad and Tobago’s 1.4 million people are active social media users, the market pales in comparison to TikTok’s priority regions like the US (100M+ users) or Brazil (74M+ users). Launching the Partner Program requires significant localisation costs, including:
- Integrating local payment gateways (e.g., debit vards, WiPay).
- Hiring compliance and customer support teams.
- Adapting content moderation tools for Trinidadian Creole or cultural nuances.
For TikTok, these investments are harder to justify in smaller markets where projected advertising revenues are low. Analysts estimate that Trinidad and Tobago’s digital ad spend totals just USD 12 million annually — a fraction of the USD 65 billion United States digital advertising market. Without advertiser demand, TikTok’s ad-driven revenue model falters.
Payment infrastructure gaps: The challenge of “last-mile” payouts
Even if TikTok wanted to launch the Partner Program, Trinidad and Tobago’s payment ecosystem poses hurdles. Only 64% of adults in T&T own bank accounts, and digital wallets remain underutilised. Most creators rely on cash or informal transfers, which are incompatible with TikTok’s automated payout systems.
Currency conversion risks
Paying creators in TTD would require TikTok to hedge against currency fluctuations. With TTD depreciating by 5% annually against the USD since 2020, this introduces financial risks. Conversely, paying in USD would exclude unbanked creators and violate Central Bank guidelines restricting foreign currency transactions.
High transaction costs
Cross-border payment gateways like PayPal charge up to 5% per transfer—a cost TikTok would either absorb (reducing profitability) or pass to creators (sparking backlash). In contrast, India’s UPI or Brazil’s Pix systems enable near-free domestic transfers, making monetisation more viable there.
Advertising ecosystem limitations: Where are the brands?
Monetisation hinges on advertiser demand, but Trinidad and Tobago’s business landscape lacks the digital maturity to fuel TikTok’s ad engine. Most local businesses are SMEs with limited marketing budgets, and few agencies specialise in TikTok campaigns.
Cultural reliance on traditional media
Trinidadian brands traditionally allocate ad spend to TV, radio, newspaper and to some extent Facebook, platforms with proven ROI. Without case studies demonstrating TikTok’s effectiveness, advertisers hesitate to experiment. Until TikTok partners with local agencies to host workshops or ad credits (as done in Mexico), this inertia will persist.
Global brands, local impact
Even multinational companies like Coca-Cola or KFC allocate TikTok budgets regionally, not nationally. With T&T representing just 2% of the Caribbean’s GDP, it’s often excluded from regional campaigns.
Economic factors: Purchasing power and currency stability
Trinidad and Tobago’s economic climate indirectly affects TikTok’s monetisation calculus. Though the nation boasts a high GDP per capita (approximately US$15,000) for the Caribbean, income inequality limits disposable spending. Over 20% of the population earns less than US$300 monthly, reducing demand for in-app purchases such as LIVE gifts.
Additionally, TikTok’s ad pricing model (cost per mille, or CPM) relies on users’ purchasing power. In Trinidad and Tobago, where average CPMs hover around US$5 (versus US$10 or more in the United States), advertisers pay less to reach audiences, slashing potential earnings for creators.
Workarounds for Trinidadian creators: Monetising beyond TikTok
While the Partner Program remains inaccessible, Trinidadian creators aren’t without options:
- Brand partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses for sponsored posts.
- Cross-platform growth: Use TikTok to drive followers to monetisable platforms like YouTube (via the YouTube Partner Program) or Instagram (branded content tools).
- Alternative revenue streams: Sell merchandise, offer coaching services, or launch Patreon memberships.
Creators like @certified.sampson (1.7MK+ followers) have successfully leveraged TikTok fame into brand marketing deals and his own successful ice cream palour—proof that ingenuity can offset platform limitations.
The future: Will TikTok Partner Program come to Trinidad and Tobago?
TikTok’s global expansion suggests smaller markets may eventually gain monetisation access. In 2023, it launched the Partner Program in Nigeria and Kenya after integrating mobile money systems like M-Pesa. Similar progress in Trinidad and Tobago depends on:
- Regulatory reforms simplifying cross-border payments.
- Partnerships with local banks or fintechs like WiPay.
- Surges in advertiser demand fuelled by platform-led education campaigns.
Until then, creators must stay agile. As TikTok refines its strategy for emerging markets, Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural influence could eventually tip the scales—turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.
Final word
The absence of the TikTok Partner Program in Trinidad and Tobago underscores the friction between global tech platforms and localised realities. For creators, the path forward lies in diversification and advocacy, pushing for regulatory modernisation while building sustainable revenue streams beyond TikTok. By understanding these systemic barriers, users can navigate the digital landscape strategically, ensuring their voices (and livelihoods) thrive even in a monetisation gap.
For updates on the TikTok Partner Program, follow TikTok’s Caribbean social channels or consult the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago’s fintech guidelines.
______________________

Every month in 2025 we will be giving away one PlayStation 5 Pro. To qualify subscribe to our newsletter.
When you buy something through our retail links, we may earn commission and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Recent Articles
- Quality vs quantity traffic: From clicks to conversions
- The US tariffs impact on advertising industry in 2025
- 10 Unique ways to celebrate Mom if you can’t be together
- The types of insurance motorcyclists in Florida should have
- The history of May Day: From ancient rituals to global solidarity
You may also like: