Google, through its video-sharing website, YouTube, unveiled the first-ever “YouTube Sub-Sahara Africa Creator Awards” last month. The event took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, the awards are designed to celebrate the continent’s talented creators who are featured on YouTube.
Youtube noted that more African video bloggers are using YouTube to create and share content globally, while earning an income for their efforts. As a result, the number of hours of video content being uploaded in Africa has folded over the past two years, subsequent in larger audiences.
According to YouTube,CEO, Susan Wojcicki, “We’re incredibly proud at YouTube to provide a platform that shares Africa’s creativity with the rest of the world. Films from Nollywood along with stories like the one of Olympic medalist Julius Yego show that inspiring talent and stories from anywhere can find a global audience. By holding our first ever YouTube Africa Awards, we hope to celebrate these incredible achievements, while also demonstrating our long-term commitment to the continent.”
YouTube Awards were handed out to 23 creators across 22 categories. For a channel to be nominated you had to have a minimum of 50 000 subscribers to qualify, and be based and currently residing in one of eight launched countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and monetisation enabled. Monetisation is not enabled in all countries globally.
The eight countries are Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal. Top non-broadcaster channels were picked from each country.
There are over 70 channels from launched Sub-Saharan African countries that have reached over 100 000 subscribers.
Full list of winners:
Broadcaster – Channels Television
Comedy – Kansiime Anne
Comic – Ramscomics and Supastrikas
Education – Retutpro – Photography and Photoshop Tutorials
Entertainment – NdaniTV
Fitness – Six Pack Factory
Games – Slushy AJ
Makeup and fashion – Kangai Mwiti
Music – Yellow Brick Cinema
News and politics – Millard Ayo
Non-profit – Jim Nduruchi
People and Blogs – Suzelle DIY
Pets and animals – Earth Touch
Top Subscribed Creator in Uganda – Kansiime Anne
Top Subscribed Creator in Ghana – OfficialSarkodie
Top Subscribed Creator in Kenya – Churchill Show
Top Subscribed Creator in Nigeria – Mark Angel Comedy
Top Subscribed Creator in Senegal – Prince Arts
Top Subscribed Creator in South Africa – Yellow Brick Cinema
Top Subscribed Creator in Tanzania – DiamondPlatnumz
Top Subscribed Creator in Zimbabwe – Mufti Menk
Top Subscribed Nollywood Channel – IbakaTV/Nollywood
Special mention: Yellow Brick Cinema, which recently reached one million subscribers and was awarded a YouTube Gold Play Button in recognition of the achievement.
