Tanzania, July 28 -- Dar es Salaam. The growing influence of content creators and influencers in promoting brands has opened new marketing opportunities for small businesses, but it has also sparked debate over the rising culture of freebies and whether such arrangements benefit or burden entrepreneurs.

For many small businesses, working with influencers offers a way to reach wider audiences without spending heavily on traditional advertising. However, some entrepreneurs argue that giving away products without clear returns can hurt businesses struggling with production costs and other expenses.

Small business owner Mariam Samwel said collaborations with creators can be valuable, but businesses need to assess whether the exposure genera...