Here are the nominees for the 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, honouring the creators and innovators shaping the future of digital culture across the continent.
TikTok has unveiled the nominees for the 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, a celebration of the creators, artists and trendsetters who shaped the region’s digital culture this year. The Awards will take place on 6 December 2025 in Johannesburg. It will bring together some of the continent’s most influential voices for a night of creativity, entertainment and community.
The 2025 creator landscape reflects a year driven by innovation and originality. African creators have consistently pushed boundaries, transforming everyday moments into cultural movements that shape conversations across the continent. Their talent for turning brief, spontaneous ideas into viral trends that resonate far beyond the platform has redefined digital storytelling. This ability has allowed many to grow their passions into sustainable and influential careers.
This year’s Awards shine a spotlight on creators whose work has made a meaningful impact across food, entertainment, sports, education, music, and storytelling. Their achievements showcase the depth and diversity of creativity that define the region.
According to Boniswa Sidwaba, Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, the annual awards reflect TikTok’s ongoing commitment to supporting the region’s creative community. She notes that the event is a chance to honour the individuals who inspire joy, build community and influence conversations that resonate on and beyond the platform.
As TikTok continues to empower and elevate emerging voices, the Awards serve as a testament to the growing impact of African creators whose work advances culture, sparks dialogue and showcases the region’s talent to the world.
Read also: How Instagram and TikTok are making Nigerian brands global
Here are the 2025 nominated creators across all categories
Creator of the year
@diaryofanortherncook (Sokoto, Nigeria)
@chefabbys (Accra, Ghana)
@fanstribehq (Lagos, Nigeria)
@shandorlarenty (Broederstroom, South Africa)
@englishwithclem (Nairobi, Kenya)
Storyteller of the year
@beloveolocha (Lagos, Nigeria)
@briannwana (Abuja, Nigeria)
@mikemortontalksfootball (Cape Town, South Africa)
@joygiverkitchen (Lagos, Nigeria)
Video of the year
@iamdavidmubiru (Kampala, Uganda)
@zerobrainer0 (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)
@isaac.samz (Lagos, Nigeria)
Rising star of the year
@estherfrancisbackup (Lagos, Nigeria)
@_bafanamthembu (Johannesburg, South Africa)
@tunero_animations (Nairobi, Kenya)
Entertainment creator of the year
@beloveolocha (Lagos, Nigeria)
@ednafrancis_ (Lagos, Nigeria)
@finding.chance (Johannesburg, South Africa)
@ikegod.chielo (Abuja, Nigeria)
@jabu_macdonald (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Food creator of the year
@mpruedie1 (Midrand, South Africa)
@malumfoodie (Pretoria, South Africa)
@chefabbys (Accra, Ghana)
@georges_kitchen (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)
@boyz_makekii (Nairobi, Kenya)
Education creator of the year
@michelle_expert (Randburg, South Africa)
@izziboye (Lagos, Nigeria)
@roy.kanyi (Nairobi, Kenya)
@englishwithclem (Nairobi, Kenya)
Social impact creator of the year
@olawalesmd (Lagos, Nigeria)
@valerie_keter (Nairobi, Kenya)
@anitasoina (Nairobi, Kenya)
@noositiwantiwa_ (Ibadan, Nigeria)
@ufarm_julia (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
Artist of the year
@theycallmeshallipopipp (Nigeria)
@itsjoshuabaraka (Uganda)
@moliymusic (Ghana)
@realjazzwrld (South Africa)
Sports Creator of the year
@boxtoboxregista (Nairobi, Kenya)
@zozasportscast (Nairobi, Kenya)
@mikemortontalksfootball (Cape Town South Africa)
@steph_talks_football (Cape Town South Africa)
@ademolavictortv (Lagos, Nigeria)
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