The 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa are back to honour the creators, artists, and trendsetters who’ve defined our feeds in 2025. Taking place on 6 December 2025, in Johannesburg, the unforgettable night will be filled with entertainment, creativity and inspiration with creators from across Sub-Saharan Africa.

This year will be remembered as one where African creators refused to be predictable. From the sound of BhadBoi OML’s ‘Wasiu Ayinde’ on repeat, the energy of the ‘Ngishutheni’ dance craze to the grit of #CorporateTok, and Shallipopi's unforgettable hits, TikTok is celebrating the genius of creators who’ve turned 60 seconds into a movement. This will be remembered as a year where niche went mainstream, community became currency, and creators thrived as tastemakers.

The awards are yet another way TikTok continues to support and inspire Africa’s creator community, empowering them to thrive, grow, and transform their passions into sustainable careers. The 2025 edition will celebrate creators across a variety of content categories, including food, entertainment, sports, education, music, and storytelling.

“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,” says Boniswa Sidwaba, our Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Now is your chance to tell us which creators should take top honours at this year’s awards:

  • Voting is open until 14 November 2025, at midnight (CAT).
  • You can click here to cast your vote, which is limited to one vote per category everyday
  • Following our official TikTok pages, share the voting page and post using the official hashtag #TikTokAwardsSSA

2025’s nominated creators and their categories include:
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
@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)

As we celebrate a new era that has brought us new icons, TikTok’s mission to support African creators remains clear. The TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa are a testament to the platform’s evolution, honouring the creators and innovators who have redefined influence. These voices drive powerful community-driven solutions, tackle education challenges, and spark vital conversations that lead to social change exporting Africa’s cultural expression to the globe. Join us as we celebrate creativity and community at the TikTok Awards and don’t forget to cast your vote for your favourites!

The TikTok Awards are our annual celebration of the most impactful and inspiring creators across Sub-Saharan Africa. This year’s event will highlight the extraordinary ways our creators have engaged, inspired, and connected communities on and off TikTok.