12% of TikTok’s 'Creators to Watch' in 2025 are from Sub-Saharan Africa

TikTok has announced its Discover List 2025, featuring 50 emerging creators who are shaping the future of content creation. This year, the platform has honed in on five key categories: Educators, Foodies, Icons, Innovators, and Originators. The selected honorees are trendsetters, influencers, and storytellers who are redefining digital engagement and inspiring global audiences.

Among the selected 50 creators, six hail from Sub-Saharan Africa, representing Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania. These creators have captivated audiences through their content and impactful storytelling.

Here are the selected creators for each category, alongside rationale for their inclusion:

EDUCATORS

TikTok describes this set as change-makers, enlightening and entertaining their communities. Whether exploring new technology, teaching languages, or zooming into historical narratives, these creators encourage curiosity and inspire learning.

Featured African Creator:

Roy Kanyi (@roy.kanyi) – Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪

[See his content]

Roy Kanyi is a tech enthusiast who combines his passion for technology with a talent for clear and engaging communication, making even complex topics easy to understand. Through insightful reviews and tutorials, Kanyi empowers his audience to make informed decisions about the latest gadgets and tech trends.

On his TikTok journey

“TikTok has been a game-changer for me! It helped me develop valuable skills like storytelling, video editing, and on-camera communication, which even led to a journalism job at Kenya’s top news network. Beyond that, I now consult with brands, helping them navigate the creator economy.”

Other creators in this category include:

@adam_mirek (Warsaw, Poland) - Adam Mirek
@aslanpahari (Sydney, Australia) - Aslan Pahari
@botagozomarova2 (Alakol District, Kazakhstan) - Botagoz Omarova
@divedivelive (Hawaii, USA) - Brittany Ziegler
@englishmakesnosense (Wisconsin, USA) - SL Rockfish
@fahadacademy (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) - Fahad Saad M Almutairi
@ladyspinedoc (Georgia, USA) - Dr. Betsy Grunch, MD
@the_mrskelly (Texas, USA) - Deidre Denise Kelly
@thehistorygossip (Oxford, United Kingdom) - Katie Kennedy

FOODIES

Food creators bring culinary adventures to the For You Feed, inspiring global #FoodTok trends. They fuse culture, creativity, and passion, giving viewers a taste of different cuisines worldwide.

Featured African Creator:

Abena Amoakoaa Sintim-Aboagye (@chefabbys) – Accra, Ghana 🇬🇭

[See her content]

Abena uses her platform to share rich Ghanaian and African food dishes and promote simple recipes — she also considers African food tourism her passion.

On her recognition:

“It means the world to me to have my passion acknowledged. I don’t take this for granted.”

Tosin Samuel (@tspiceskitchen) – Lokoja, Nigeria 🇳🇬

[See her content]

Tosin is the creator of the food page Tspices Kitchen on social media, showcasing authentic Nigerian cuisine and fusion dishes. A self-taught cook, she aims to celebrate Nigerian culinary heritage and inspire better home cooking.

On TikTok’s impact:

“TikTok has allowed me to transform my passion into a career. It has opened doors to collaborations and brand partnerships while boosting my confidence to push creative boundaries.”

Other creators in this category include:

@amrelhady_ (Cairo, Egypt) - Amr el Hady
@biteswithlily (Sydney, Australia) - Lily Huynh
@logagm (Ottawa, Canada) - Logan
@notorious_foodie (London, United Kingdom) - Notorious Foodie
@rappingchef (Texas, USA) - Joshua Williford
@review.rraigon (Bangkok, Thailand) - Onjira Malee & Thanadech Propasart
@themoodyfoody (Florida, USA) - Toni Chapman
@veganewunder (Berlin, Germany) - Chris Washington

ICONS

Tiktok describes these creators as embodying trends and culture.

Featured African Creator:

Charity Ekezie (@charityekezie) – Abuja, Nigeria 🇳🇬

[See her content]

A journalist-turned-content-creator, Charity uses humor to challenge negative stereotypes about Africa.

On TikTok’s impact:

“Being recognized means I am making a change. TikTok saved me during my toughest times and gave me purpose.”

Other creators in this category include:

@aqeeelstar (Kuwait City, Kuwait) - Aqeel Al Raesi
@ayame.p (London, United Kingdom) - Ayamé Ponder
@guywithamoviecamera (New York, USA) - Reece Feldman
@jaadiee (Mainz, Germany) - Jannik Diefenbach & Grandfather, Alojz
@juliansewell (Auckland, New Zealand) - Julian Sewell
@madisontevlin (Toronto, Canada) - Madison Tevlin
@mreviatar (Rishon Lezion, Israel) - Eviatar Ozeri
@thekingofchemo (London, United Kingdom) - Iain Ward
@zeewhatidid (London, United Kingdom) - Zainab Jiwa

INNOVATORS

Tiktok describes these creators as putting a new twist on what it means to be a content creator. They are pioneers in their fields who have unique perspectives in their content, and are not afraid to experiment and try something new.

Featured African Creator:

Fanuel John Masamaki (@zerobrainer0) – Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania 🇹🇿

[See his content]

Known as Zerobrainer, he has blended football skills with a touch of comedy to captivate his loyal and diverse fanbase across a globe. He dons a light brown suit jacket and a peaked cap, adding a unique flair to his performances on the soccer field with a vision of becoming a global brand. He not only entertains, but also inspires others to find joy and laughter in every aspect of life.

On his recognition:

“TikTok has given me a platform to inspire the youth in my hometown. Being part of the Discover List 2025 is a major step toward my dream of becoming a global brand.”

Other creators in this category include:

@cinema.joe (California, USA) - Joe Aragon
@deadnosuke (Tokyo, Japan) - Shinnosuke
@iamchriskabeya (Montreal, Canada) - Chris Kabeya
@ibnhattuta (Amman, Jordan) - Kasem Hato
@ladyyasmina1 (California, USA) - Yasmine Sahid
@phenixsoul (London, United Kingdom) - Lyric Mariah
@tahertravels (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) - Taher Musafir
@theoshakes (Auckland, New Zealand) - Theo Shakes
@unlabeled_ (Berlin, Germany) - Paula Küttner

ORIGINATORS

Tiktok describes this set as the artists who share the music we live for. They inspire the aesthetics, the movements, the anthems. Originators are the heart of TikTok — they have a finger on the pulse of culture and create the soundtracks that define the year.

Featured African Creator:

TitoM & Yuppe (@titom_official & @yuppeyeager) – Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦

[See their content in action]

The Amapiano duo behind the viral hit “Tshwala Bam”, TitoM and Yuppe did earn their place following the song’s success last year, which took off on Tiktok.

On their recognition:

“TikTok is the number one reason, outside of the song itself, behind the success of ‘Tshwala Bam’ — the single that changed our lives. It reached fans and creators we could never humanly reach. Our song grew so big because of TikTok. It is a full circle moment and an honour to be recognised.”

Tshwala Bam, which later got a remix from Burna Boy, amassed over 22 million streams on Spotify Nigeria, making it one of the country’s top streamed songs in 2024 [by combined streams] and ultimately, the most-streamed non-Nigerian song in 2024.

Check out the full Lookbook here