TikTok has announced the return of the 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, a vibrant celebration of the creators, artists, and trendsetters who have shaped Africa’s digital culture in 2025.
The event will take place on 6 December 2025 in Johannesburg, bringing together leading content creators from across the region for a night of entertainment, creativity, and inspiration.
This year’s awards promise to be a milestone moment for African creators, reflecting how diverse voices and trends from the continent continue to influence global pop culture — from viral dance crazes to innovative storytelling and educational content.
Honouring Africa’s New Wave of Digital Creators
According to TikTok, 2025 has been a year defined by unpredictability and creativity. The platform’s community has witnessed the rise of new sounds, trends, and movements — from the infectious rhythm of BhadBoi OML’s “Wasiu Ayinde” and the “Ngishutheni” dance craze, to the corporate humour of #CorporateTok and the chart-topping hits of Shallipopi.
“These awards are about celebrating the creativity that defines Africa’s digital landscape,” said Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Our annual awards are a moment for reflection and celebration where we build deeper relationships with the people who power the continent. At its core, the TikTok Awards celebrate a vibrant community that inspires creativity, builds connection, and turns passion into prosperous careers.”
The 2025 Awards will honour creators across diverse categories, including food, entertainment, sports, education, music, and storytelling, acknowledging how short-form content has become a major driver of cultural expression and economic opportunity across Africa.
Voting and Participation
Fans across Sub-Saharan Africa are invited to vote for their favourite creators, with voting open until 14 November 2025 (midnight CAT).
Users can cast one vote per category each day via TikTok’s official voting page, share posts using the #TikTokAwardsSSA hashtag, and follow TikTok’s regional pages for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
How to vote:
- Visit the TikTok Awards voting page.
- Choose your favourite creator in each category.
- Share and post using the official hashtag #TikTokAwardsSSA.
Nominees for 2025
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)
Celebrating a New Era of African Creativity
TikTok describes the 2025 Awards as a testament to Africa’s growing influence in the global creator economy. The platform says it remains committed to empowering African storytellers and helping them transform their creativity into sustainable livelihoods.
Pull Quote:
“These creators are redefining influence — driving social change, shaping conversations, and exporting Africa’s culture to the world.”
TikTok noted that its awards program has become a major cultural event, highlighting creators who use short-form content to entertain, educate, and empower communities.
By turning local trends into global movements, African TikTok creators are proving that the continent’s digital economy is not only thriving — it’s setting trends that resonate worldwide.
About the TikTok Awards
The TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa are held annually to honour the most impactful creators who have inspired creativity and built strong communities both on and off the platform.
Each year, the event showcases how creators are using short videos to spark conversations, teach new skills, celebrate cultural diversity, and entertain millions.
As Sidwaba explained, the awards are not just about recognition, but about reinforcing TikTok’s role as a launchpad for African voices and a platform for cultural storytelling.
“These awards remind us that creativity has no boundaries,” she said. “Every video, every sound, and every story shared on TikTok contributes to Africa’s global cultural footprint.”
As the countdown to December begins, excitement is building among fans and creators across the continent. Whether it’s a Kenyan educator, a Nigerian chef, or a South African entertainer, this year’s nominees represent the diversity, innovation, and resilience of Africa’s digital generation.
The TikTok Awards 2025 will be live from Johannesburg on 6 December, streaming across TikTok’s official channels.
Fans are encouraged to vote early and celebrate the creators who have made 2025 unforgettable — one 60-second story at a time.
