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Africa’s digital entertainment space has experienced a dramatic transformation over the past two years, with live streaming emerging as one of the continent’s fastest-growing creative industries.
Once dominated by a handful of South African gaming creators, the ecosystem has expanded into a multi-million-dollar economy, driven largely by West and North African personalities who have turned Twitch and Kick into cultural powerhouses.
The surge gained global attention when international stars such as Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed engaged directly with creators in Lagos and Accra, accelerating the mainstream appeal of live streaming across Africa.
In 2026, influence is no longer measured by viral clips alone, but by dedicated, real-time communities built on elite streaming platforms.
To provide an accurate picture of dominance, this ranking is based on combined Twitch and Kick followership, a metric that reflects the regional split in platform preference.
While West and Southern African creators continue to dominate Twitch, North African streamers have largely migrated to Kick, attracted by its creator-friendly incentives. Merging both platforms offers the clearest snapshot of true continental reach.
Morocco’s Ilyas El Maliki sits firmly at the top with 847,000 followers, making him Africa’s most-followed streamer and the undisputed king of Kick.
Known for his raw, unfiltered commentary in Moroccan Darija, El Maliki commands massive live audiences, peaking at over 500,000 concurrent viewers during the Kings World Cup Nations. His dominance reflects the sheer scale and unity of North Africa’s streaming audience.
Nigeria’s Carter Efe ranks second with over 560,000 followers, holding the title of Africa’s most-followed Twitch-based creator.
Transitioning from comedy and music fame into streaming, Carter has built a chaotic yet magnetic brand that blends gaming, celebrity interviews, and pop culture.
His record-breaking livestream with Davido in late 2025 remains a defining moment in African streaming history.
Completing the top three is Shank Comics, a pioneer who paved the way for Nigerian streamers globally.
As the first Nigerian to cross 100,000 followers on Twitch, Shank’s storytelling-driven content and international exposure, including Kai Cenat’s Streamer University, cement his legacy as one of Africa’s most influential creators.
Consistency defines Rynenzo (Enzo), who ranks fourth after growing from just 200 followers in 2023 to over 200,000 by 2026. His focus on pure gaming content and landmark streams with global stars like Rema earned him respect as a “streamer’s streamer.”
At number five is Peller, Nigeria’s biggest Kick streamer and the platform’s first official Nigerian brand ambassador. His rapid rise symbolises the new generation of African creators building careers beyond legacy platforms.
South Africa’s Rachel Kay stands out as the most-followed female streamer on the continent. Based in Cape Town, she combines high-production RPG gameplay with brand-safe content, earning global partnerships and reinforcing South Africa’s relevance in the streaming economy.
Rounding out the list are Ojo, Salma Hassan, Lord Lamba, and AliasV, each representing unique niches ranging from matchmaking content and high-energy MENA streams to shoutcasting and Just Chatting formats.
Beyond entertainment, Africa’s livestreaming ecosystem also includes faith-based broadcasters like Pastor Jerry Eze and Evangelist Ebuka Obi, whose audiences dwarf entertainment creators but operate in a distinct spiritual category.
Their influence underscores how livestreaming in Africa now spans culture, faith, and global digital commerce.
As 2026 unfolds, one truth is clear: Africa is no longer catching up in streaming—it is defining its own global lane.
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