TikTok has announced the nominees for the 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, with top creators, artistes and trendsetters from across the continent making the list.
The awards will hold on 6 December 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In a statement on Wednesday, the platform said the event will celebrate creators who shaped digital culture this year, turning short videos into full movements that influenced music, fashion, education and entertainment across Africa.
According to TikTok, 2025 was a year African creators “refused to be predictable,” with viral trends such as BhadBoi OML’s ‘Wasiu Ayinde’ sound, the ‘Ngishutheni’ dance challenge, the rise of #CorporateTok and Shallipopi’s chart-topping hits.
TikTok said the annual awards aim to honour creators who continue to build communities, inspire joy and turn their content into sustainable careers.
Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, said the awards remain a major moment for recognising creators across the region.
“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 the vibrant community who continue to inspire creativity, build community and spread joy on the platform while turning their passions into prosperous careers,” Sidwaba said.
Fans can now vote for their favourite creators.
Voting will remain open until 14 November 2025 at midnight (CAT), with users allowed one vote per category each day.
Nominees were selected across several categories, including food, entertainment, education, music, storytelling, sports and social impact.
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)
@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)
Artiste 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)
TikTok said the awards highlight how African creators have redefined online influence and used digital content to drive social conversations, promote education and export African culture globally.
The platform added that creators have become “tastemakers shaping entertainment and community-led storytelling across the continent.”
Fans are encouraged to follow TikTok’s official pages and vote using the hashtag #TikTokAwardsSSA.
