Africa Creator Week: YouTube will train 9 creators from Nigeria, Kenya and SA

The second edition of Africa Creator Week has begun on YouTube. As part of the #YouTubeBlack Voices program, the program seeks to showcase and support content creators from across the continent, as well as to extend YouTube’s commitment to nurturing black creators and artists.

YouTube Africa Creator Week 2021 takes place from November 29 to December 3, 2021, and includes a variety of activities to celebrate and support creators on the continent. Three motivational creator talks and a masterclass focused on teaching creators how to diversify their revenue streams and increase their income are among the highlights of the week-long program.

A storyteller video series, Stories Behind the Storytellers, will premiere at the event and will highlight the journeys of nine top African creators who are growing their fandom through inspirational storytelling.

The following Kenyan, Nigerian, and South African storytellers will be featured:

• Fashion Wizardry (Kenya)
• Alex Methange (Kenya)
• Mandi Sarro (Kenya)
• Miss Techy (Nigeria)
• Sisi Yemmie (Nigeria)
• Steve Nduku (Nigeria)
• Financial Bunny (South Africa)
• Nozibele Qamngana (South Africa)
• Reggie Mohlabi (South Africa)

Taiwo Aina (Nigeria) will share her experiences as a renowned YouTube filmmaker; Kukuwa Fitness (Kenya) will share how YouTube has been instrumental in assisting her to empower communities around the world; and DEFINING Media (South Africa) will share how they are achieving their goals of empowering people through inspiring stories.

In addition to the sessions led by the creators, Dr. Ethel Nakimuli-Mpungu, a renowned lecturer and psychiatric epidemiologist at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, will lead discussions on mental health.

“Africa is filled with inspiring stories and YouTube is committed to supporting the growth of the continent’s storytellers. The YouTube Africa Creator Week intends to spotlight top African creators who are focused on their YouTube journeys and stirring engaging conversations among content creators in order to drive growth on the continent”,

says Adetutu Laditan, YouTube Creator Marketing Manager, EMEA

Recent YouTube statistics demonstrate the significant growth of Africa’s creative community. Nigeria has over 500 channels with over 100,000 subscribers, an increase of more than 60% from the previous year. Over 300 channels now have over 100,000 subscribers in Kenya, representing a year-on-year increase of more than 90%; meanwhile, over 250 channels now have over 100,000 subscribers in South Africa, representing a year-on-year increase of more than 60%.

“YouTube has been a partner to a generation of global creators who have turned their creativity into businesses.” We are working in Africa to promote the discovery and development of the next generation of creators. We are investing with a focus on connection, inspiration, and the celebration of the uniqueness of black African voices,” Awofisayo concludes.

In January, 19 Sub-Saharan African creators and four artists were chosen from 132 creators worldwide to receive funding from the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund as part of the 2021 #YouTubeBlack Voices Creator Class.

The #YouTubeBlackVoices Music Class of 2022, which was announced earlier this year, also includes eight African artists, songwriters, and producers. YouTube Shorts, which was introduced to the region this year, allows creators to share their stories and creativity through catchy videos created on their mobile phones.