South Africa’s digital adult-content market estimated at up to R6 billion a year
South Africa’s digital adult-content market, which includes OnlyFans, Fansly and Telegram, is estimated at up to R6 billion a year. Local trackers estimate that between 10,000 and 14,000 active creators work on OnlyFans alone in the country.
As Daily Maverick reports, University of Cape Town researcher Phiwokazi Khoza interviewed 17 South African OnlyFans creators for a study published in the journal Porn Studies. Some respondents did not describe themselves as sex workers, drawing a distinction between creating digital content and in-person sexual contact for money. Some also stressed that their activity was voluntary.
At the same time, study participants spoke about pressure from audience members who send proposals for in-person meetings. One of the surveyed creators said such messages cause her anxiety and fear because she does not know what to expect from a possible meeting.
User spending and taxes
According to data cited by the outlet, South African residents spent $31.99 million, or more than R570 million, on OnlyFans in 2025. Daily Maverick notes that these are the only figures it was able to find. The indicator was 18.04% higher than the $27.1 million spent in 2024. South Africa ranked about 34th in the world in total spending on the platform and was Africa’s largest market by this measure.
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According to the outlet, creators’ income from the platform is subject to taxation, while the value of promotional goods received — including ring lights, clothing or lingerie — may also be counted at market value. Banks require reporting on foreign inflows, so creators use third-party payment services to transfer dollar payouts to accounts in South Africa.
Uneven income distribution
According to financial data from holding company Fenix International, total subscriber spending on OnlyFans worldwide reached $7.22 billion in the 2024 financial year. The platform retained its standard 20% of that amount, while payouts to creators totalled $5.8 billion.
Income on the platform is distributed unevenly: the top 0.1% of creators receive 76% of the platform’s revenue share. The median income of a creator worldwide is $15 per month, while 70% of creators earn less than $200 monthly. In South Africa, earning opportunities are also limited by unequal access to high-speed internet, private workspace and the necessary devices.
