YouTube hosts first virtual Black Africa Creators Week

Youtube, a US video-sharing platform, on Monday, commenced its first virtual Black Africa Creators Week, a week dedicated to engaging, educating and inspiring African creators to grow on the platform.

Highlights of the one-week program include expert-led masterclasses covering topics like assessing channel performance and engaging a community, and understanding YouTube’s monetisation policies, among others.

It also includes a spotlight talk with Mark Angel, a Nigerian comedian, who Youtube named Africa’s most subscribed endemic creator.

YouTube said it would celebrate creators through the presentation of Play Button awards to Dodos Uvieghara, Eric Okafor, and Kay Ngonyama whose channels have crossed the 100,000 subscriber milestone.

The US-based platform said the closing event for the programme will end with a two-hour live stream to be hosted by Akah Nnani, a Nigeria-born actor and YouTube creator, at 5 pm GMT and can be viewed here.

To mark the finale of the programme, which is billed for November 27, it enlisted Fireboy, Niniola, Reekado Banks, Sauti Sol and Sho Madjozi as singers who will perform while also featuring dance showcases from the Dream Catchers, Ikorodu Bois, Triplet Ghetto Kids.

Alex Okosi, YouTube’s MD for emerging markets in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, said the region-wide virtual initiative is targeted at demonstrating the platform’s commitment to creators and artists in the region.

“Over the years, we have built and nurtured strong relationships with Africa’s storytellers, and provided them with a platform to share their stories with the world,” Okosi said in a statement.

“Top African creators and channels like Mark Angel Comedy, DJ Arch Jnr, Churchill Show, and many others have grown from a handful of followers to having millions of fans globally.

“We remain committed to amplifying black voices and providing a platform where Black African creators thrive.”